What You Need to Know About Romeo and Juliet Laws By State
In the United States, close-in-age exemptions allow an individual to have consensual sex with a minor if the individual is not more than a given number of years older, generally four years or less. However, the laws depend from state to state. These laws are known as Romeo and Juliet laws, or close-in-age exemption laws. Listed below are the Romeo and Juliet laws by state as of 2022.
Romeo and Juliet Laws by State as of 2022
Related: New York Consent Laws: Updated 2022
| State | Age of Consent | Romeo and Juliet Law |
| Alabama | 16 years | 2 years age difference |
| Alaska | 16 years | 3 years age difference |
| Arizona | 18 years | 2 years age difference |
| Arkansas | 16 years | 3 years or more |
| California | 18 years | None |
| Colorado | 17 years | 4 years difference |
| Connecticut | 16 years | 2 years difference |
| Delaware | 18 years | None |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | 16 years | None |
| Florida | 18 years | Minors older than 16 may engage in consensual sexual intercourse with a partner no older than 23 |
| Georgia | 16 years | None |
| Hawaii | 16 years | 5 years difference |
| Idaho | 18 years | None |
| Illinois | 17 years | None |
| Indiana | 16 years | None |
| Iowa | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| Kansas | 16 years | None |
| Kentucky | 16 years | None |
| Louisiana | 17 years | 3 years difference |
| Maine | 16 years | 5 years difference |
| Maryland | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| Massachusetts | 16 years | None |
| Michigan | 16 years | None |
| Minnesota | 16 years | 2 years difference |
| Mississippi | 16 years | 2 years difference |
| Missouri | 17 years | None |
| Montana | 16 years | None |
| Nebraska | 16 years | None |
| Nevada | 16 years | None |
| New Hampshire | 16 years | None |
| New Jersey | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| New Mexico | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| New York | 17 years | None |
| North Carolina | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| North Dakota | 18 years | None |
| Ohio | 16 years | None |
| Oklahoma | 16 years | None |
| Oregon | 18 years | 3 years difference |
| Pennsylvania | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| Rhode Island | 16 years | None |
| South Carolina | 16 years | None |
| South Dakota | 16 years | 3 years difference |
| Tennessee | 18 years | 4 years difference |
| Texas | 17 years | 3 years difference |
| Utah | 18 years | 10 years difference |
| Vermont | 16 years | None |
| Virginia | 18 years | None |
| Washington | 16 years | 2 years difference |
| West Virginia | 16 years | 4 years difference |
| Wisconsin | 18 years | None |
| Wyoming | 16 years | 4 years difference |
Related: Is It Statutory Rape for Two Minors to Have Sex?
All information above is accurate as of June 26th, 2022. State statutes regarding Romeo and Juliet laws or acceptable age difference laws are subject to change and exemptions. Individuals should consult the state website correlating to where they live for further information on individual state Romeo and Juliet laws. Consult with a qualified and knowledgeable attorney to answer any questions or to represent an individual in a lawsuit regarding Romeo and Juliet laws.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Romeo and Juliet Laws By State, get your free consultation with one of our most qualified attorneys today!
Sources:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/age-of-consent-by-state