Jamie Lynn's Pregnancy: Was It The Result Of A Crime?

Access Hollywood - December 20, 2007 4:00 PM PST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (December 20, 2007) The pregnancy of 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears brings up a lot of questions, but the one on many peoples' minds is whether this could be a case of statutory rape.

Jamie Lynn has told OK! that Casey Aldridge is the father of her baby.

[ Jamie Lynn Spears - View the gallery ]

While there are varying reports about Aldridge's age, most place him at either 18 or 19, making him an adult, while Spears, at 16, is still a minor.

Whether the consensual sex with Spears can be considered a crime, depends on which state the baby was conceived in.

If the baby was conceived in California, where Jamie Lynn filmed "Zoey 101" for Nickelodeon, and where she and Casey have often been spotted together, Casey could have committed a crime.

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[ Access Archives: Jamie Lynn Spears - Watch the Video ]

California law makes a distinction in the weight of the crime charged, based on the age of the people involved. Because Aldridge is not more than three years older than Jamie Lynn, getting her pregnant in California could be a misdemeanor under state law.

As for the potential penalty, prosecutors could push for up to a year in jail.

In Louisiana, the state in which Jamie Lynn said she plans to raise her baby, Aldridge is up forjust one penalty, dependant on whether he is 18 or 19.

If he is 18, no crime has been committed.

If he is 19, however, Aldridge could be charged with a felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. The maximum penalty for the felony could be up to 10 years in prison, with or without hard labor.

In Aldridge's home state of Mississippi, where he reportedly works as a pipe layer, statutory rape only applies to sex with persons 15 years of age or younger.

However, regarding the states where the conception could be considered a crime, defense attorney Jeffrey Steinberger, told Access Hollywood that prosecuting Aldridge is highly unlikely.

Prosecutors look for "necessary intent," Steinberger explained and because Aldridge and Spears are involved, attorneys are unlikely to go after the teen.

Steinberger also noted that because both parties are under the age of 21, prosecutors are also likely to stay away from the case.

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comments 1-10 of 170  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Shatavia Q
    casey is wrong for doing what he did. i would curse that ugly fat nose white boy O.U.T out. if i was jamie i would just find another man who would take care of all of my kids and would do whatever i tell him to do.
    report abuseposted March 14, 2008 7:57 PM PDT
  • Shatavia Q
    i think that jamie's ex boyfriend,casey shouldn't have dumped jamie like that.at least when the baby comes,he will be there in the delivery room.
    report abuseposted March 14, 2008 7:52 PM PDT
  • Shatavia Q
    no pain no game. when she has that baby she going to be like it hurtssssssssssssss very very bad then the next thing you know the doctor will be like it's time and shes going to scream to the top of her lungs. the doctor will be like 123 push.
    report abuseposted March 14, 2008 7:45 PM PDT
  • Shatavia Q
    i would wait until i got married and there are so many young girls who follow her and then they make a bad mistake and get knocked up and there young so there not even married yet i think that jamie made the worst mistake ever.
    report abuseposted March 14, 2008 7:41 PM PDT
  • AkeiriaW
    i dont think it was rape i think she laid down and did wat she did wit dat boy and now shes pregant she has to deal wit it for 9 whole months and when dat baby comes i hope she knos she has to provide for it and cherish it with all her love including the father
    report abuseposted March 8, 2008 5:40 PM PST
  • earthkidd.
    Honestly. NO people do not need to leave her alone. she got he just deserves. She is only 16 and does kiddy shows for that matter, think of the kids. She is obviously not that bad off because she had sex and now she is going to suffer the consequences. I don't like and she is getting what she wanted obviously because if she knew there was a chance she could get pregnant then why did she ev
    report abuseposted March 2, 2008 8:36 PM PST
  • Sherri
    SHE DONT DESERVE TO BE TRASHED.AND HE DEFINATELY DONT DESERVE TO GO TO JAIL. SHE WAS WILLING. THEY BOTH NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. NO ABORTION OR ADOPTION IT IS CLEAR THAT SHE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE BABY. PEOPLE NEED TO REALLY STOP TRASHING HER CAUSE SHE MADE A MISTAKE. NO IT AINT RIGHT BUT PERSONALLY IVE KNOW PLENTY OF GIRLS THAT GET PREGNANT AT 16 EVEN YOUNGER. LAY OFF HER JUST CAUSE SHE
    report abuseposted March 2, 2008 1:08 PM PST
  • BettyK
    It's truly frightening here how many of you simply don't get it..this isn't about Jamie or Brittany..what they've done to their lives, they've done. They will either find a way to survive or they won't. The point is that they've elected through their own foolishness to involve babies who did NOT ask to be involved the their bizarre mothers
    report abuseposted March 2, 2008 11:38 AM PST
  • miley cyrus is my cousin
    jamie is cool i met her and stop talking but her
    report abuseposted February 24, 2008 5:24 PM PST
  • B
    YA KNOW IF PARENTS WERE AROUND MORE AND ABLE TO TALK TO THERE KIDS PERHAPS THINGS LIKE THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN SO MUCH I GOT PREG AT 19 AND IT WAS FREAKIN HARD NO BODY TO HELP YOU OUT AND ITS SCAREY ALL IM SAYIN IS TEEN PREG IS STUPID BUT SEEMS TO BE INEVTIBLE THESE DAYS CAUSE PARENTS JUST DONT CARE
    report abuseposted February 23, 2008 9:26 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 170  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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