Did Jamie Lynn's Boyfriend Break the Law?
  • The Internet is abuzz with the question du jour: Since Jamie Lynn is 16 years old, does that make her a victim of statutory rape?

    If Casey is indeed the dad-to-be, and the blessed event took place in Jamie Lynn's home state of Louisiana, then the act could be classified as a "Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile," defined as "sexual intercourse with consent between someone age 19 or older and someone between age 12 and 17."

    If Casey were tried and found guilty, he could face a maximum possible term of 10 years imprisonment, possibly with hard labor.

    Casey could still be in trouble if the couple did the deed in the Golden State, where Spears resides while filming her Nickelodeon show "Zoey 101."

    "It states clearly in the Californian Penal Code that any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (under 18) who is not more than three years older or three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanor and faces up to one year in a county jail," said criminal defense attorney Jim Hammer.

    “But if Aldridge is actually more than three years older, he could be up for a felony, which carries a maximum three years in prison.”

    According to the code, "unlawful sexual intercourse" is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the perpetrator, if the person is a minor.

    “Police can openly investigate the case, but the biggest challenge would be to determine [in] what state the act actually took place,” Hammer said.

    However, criminal defense lawyer Christopher Darden says charges are unlikely.

    “The father of the child may have committed a criminal offense or misdemeanor by having unlawful sex with a minor,” said Darden. “But unless the complaint is filed from the minor’s parent, it is unlikely that this will be taken further.”