Dating age rule in pa

Statutory Rape: The Age of Consent

By Monica Steiner , Contributing Author.

Ages of consent in the United States - Wikipedia

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for an adult someone 18 or older to have sex with a minor someone younger than 16 , even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.

What Is The Legal Age Limit For Dating?

Statutory rape laws are premised on the assumption that minors are incapable of giving informed consent to sexual activities. The age of consent can vary among states, and some states differentiate between consensual sex between minors who are close in age for example, two teenagers of the same age , as opposed to sex between a minor and a much older adult.

Though statutory rape does not require that the prosecutor prove an assault, it is still rape. Of course, rape that does involve force or an assault is illegal in Pennsylvania and prosecuted as forcible rape. Penalties depend on the ages of the defendant and victim, and the conduct that occurred, as described below. Rape includes sexual intercourse including genital, oral, or anal penetration, however slight with a minor who is younger than 13 years old. This offense is a first degree felony.

What Is Statutory Rape?

Statutory sexual assault includes sexual intercourse including genital, oral, or anal penetration, however slight with a child who 13, 14, or 15, when:. Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse includes oral sex, anal sex, or genital or anal penetration with an object between a minor who is younger than 13 and a defendant of any age. It also includes minors who are 13, 14, or 15 when the defendant is at least four years older than the victim. Aggravated indecent assault includes genital or anal penetration however slight with a body part, between a minor who is younger than 13 and a defendant of any age.

This offense is a second degree felony. Indecent assault includes any sexual or intimate touching for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. It is also a criminal offense in Pennsylvania for teachers, other school employees, and school volunteers to engage in sexual activity with school students who are under the care and control of the defendant.

Age of Consent by State

State law requires—in addition to the applicable fines and prison time—that people convicted of certain instances of statutory rape must register as sex offenders. Minors are legally incapable of giving consent to having sex; so for example, if Jen, who is 15 years old, willingly has sex with Tony, her year-old boyfriend, Tony can face criminal charges, since Jen is not legally capable of giving consent in the first place.

But if Jen and Tony are married and living in Pennsylvania, Tony need not fear criminal charges for having consensual sex with Jen.

Pennsylvania’s Statutory Rape Laws and Potential Penalties

People convicted under There are several federal statutes related to protecting minors from sexual predators, but laws regarding specific age requirements for sexual consent are left to individual states , District of Columbia , and territories. If a person has sex with someone who is below the age of consent , they are guilty of statutory rape. Sexual assault of a child; first degree; penalty. In Mississippi became the last state to remove this provision from its code. Age of Consent by State.

The marital defense is a remnant of the marital rape exemption. However, if Tony were to rape Jen force her to have sex against her will , he would have no protection under the law even if the two are married. In Pennsylvania, there is a Romeo and Juliet exemption that prevents the prosecution of consensual sexual acts between a minor who is 13 or older and a defendant who is less than four years older.

However, sexual contact with a child younger than 13 is always a serious crime, no matter the age of the defendant.

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A conviction for sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 13 can result in as many as 40 years in prison. Recently, the United States Supreme Court found that laws which prohibit consensual, private sexual conduct including homosexual conduct between adults are unconstitutional, and cannot be enforced by any state. However, some states still have those laws on the books.

If you have been accused of statutory rape, you should consult a criminal defense attorney immediately.

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You should also seek legal counsel if you are involved in a relationship that you believe may violate your state's age of consent laws. Can't find your category?

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