Ages of consent in the United States

Ages of Consent in the United States refers to the legal age at which an individual is considered mature enough to consent to sexual activity. These laws are state-specific and can vary widely across the United States.

Overview

The age of consent in the United States varies between 16 and 18 years old depending on the state. This means that in some states, a person aged 16 or older has the legal right to consent to sexual activity, while in others, this age is 18. The laws are designed to protect younger individuals from sexual exploitation and abuse.

State-specific Laws

Each state in the United States has its own age of consent law. For example, in Alabama, the age of consent is 16, while in California, it is 18. Some states also have "close-in-age" exemptions, also known as "Romeo and Juliet laws", which allow for sexual relations between two individuals who are both under the age of consent, but close in age to each other.

Alabama

In Alabama, the age of consent is 16. The state law also includes a close-in-age exemption, which allows for consensual sex between two individuals who are both at least 14 years old, as long as the age difference between them is not more than 4 years.

California

In California, the age of consent is 18. There is no close-in-age exemption in California, meaning that it is illegal for anyone to engage in sexual activity with a person under the age of 18, regardless of the age difference between them.

Federal Law

In addition to state laws, there are also federal laws regarding the age of consent. Under federal law, the age of consent is 18. This applies to situations where the sexual activity crosses state lines, or when the sexual activity occurs on federal property.

See Also

• Statutory Rape
• Romeo and Juliet Laws
• Age of Majority

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