Only six of these states have close in age exceptions to prevent the prosecution of partners who engage in consensual sex with minors within their age brackets. States Where the Consensual Age Is 18 YearsĮleven states, including Wisconsin, Virginia, Utah, Tennessee, Oregon, North Dakota, Idaho, Florida, Delaware, California, and Arizona, outlaw sexual relationships with partners who are below 18 years of age. This law, however, does not apply in cases where the older partner is an employee, volunteer, or health service provider in the minor’s school. In New Mexico, a person who is 18 years or older can have a consensual sexual relationship with a person aged below 17 years as long as they are not more than four years younger. Out of the eight states, only Colorado and New Mexico have a close in age exception. In Wyoming, Texas, New York, New Mexico, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois, and Colorado, persons aged less than 17 years cannot legally agree to sexual relations. ![]() States Where the Consensual Age Is 17 Years However, if the older partner is a guardian or a person of authority to the minor, the age of consent is 18 years. Children who are less than 13 years old can also consent to sexual activities with partners who are not more than two years older. In Connecticut for example, a person aged 13 years can give in to a sexual relationship if the older partner is not more than three years their senior. They include Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington.ġ8 of these states have close in age exemption laws which protect underage couples who consent to sexual activities from prosecution, even in cases where one of the partners is slightly over the age of consent. In 32 of the US states, the legal age of consent is 16 years. The Legal Age of Consent in the Us by State States Where the Consensual Age Is 16 Years The consensual age varies from 16 years to 18 years depending on the state. Apart from the federal law on statutory rape, each of the states in the US has its local laws regarding consensual sex. Sexual relationships with a person aged less than 16 years amount to statutory rape, and it is punishable by the law. Ultimately, exploring these options as earlier as possible may help protect your teen’s future.The legal age of consent in the United States at the federal level is 16 years. Generally, the younger the victim, the more serious the charges and harsher the penalties.Įven though things may seem bleak, there are probably ways for your teen to defend himself or herself against criminal charges. Whether your teen faces felony charges, though, likely depends on the ages of everyone involved. If your son or daughter has intercourse with another teen, he or she may be vulnerable to prosecution. Unfortunately, Missouri does not have a Romeo and Juliet law. These laws keep teens who engage in sexual activity with each other from having criminal records. Many states have Romeo and Juliet laws that shield minors who have sex with minors from criminal prosecution. While the law focuses on adults who have sex with minors, prosecutors may go after minors who are younger than 17. Therefore, any sexual activity with a person who is under 17 probably constitutes statutory rape. In Missouri, one must be at least 17 to consent to sexual intercourse. Still, sexual contact with a minor is against the law in Missouri. News and World Report, almost 40% of teens have sex before they reach the age of 18. In fact, according to reporting from U.S. It is not uncommon for teens to engage in sexual activity with other teens, of course. ![]() Hopefully, those mistakes do not violate any law. You must eventually give your kids freedom to make some mistakes that are part of the growing-up process. If you have teenagers in your family, you undoubtedly know your good parenting can only go so far.
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