Q: Could a 20 year old date a 16 year old in Texas if they are previously dating?
My son just started dating a young girl and she is 16. He is 19. I know about the Romeo and Juliet law in Texas but if he turns 20 before she turns 17, is that against the law?
A:
Romeo & Juliet only protects him if he is 3 years TO THE DAY older or less. If he is 3 years and 1 day older than she is then he can't use that defense for Sexual Assault of a Child or Indecency with a Child.
WARNING: He could be prosecuted for Sexual Performance of a Child until the girl turns 18 years old.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
