Question: Could my father or mother stop me from dating my 19 year old boyfriend? Since we aren't having sex could they press any charges against him?
Answer: If you are a minor (under 18 years old in Arizona) your parents have the right and duty to control you and the duty to support you. In certain circumstances, a minor who can fully support him or herself will become an emancipated minor. However, this means the minor has the full responsibility of all of his or her needs. Merely contributing to your support does not mean that you can become emancipated.
Your parents have a duty to protect you and provide for you. Your parents do not have a duty to allow you to do what you want.
Your parents will lose their right and duty to control you if they abuse it. This usually involves some sort of criminal behavior, or behavior that puts you in danger. Not feeding, clothing, or houseing you would be examples of this behavior. Your contribution towards food, housing or clothing does not get you out of obeying them.
Unless you are fully emancipated, or your parents legally lose their right to parental authority, you cannot leave home without their permission. If the 19 year old boy, that you are interested in, is not committing a crime then he would have the opportunity to prove that within the process if charged, but then your parents would not have a reason to press charges either.
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