Q: Met someone on Tinder who claimed to be 18. Police say they're a minor. Can I be charged if I didnt know their real age?
I was on Tinder and the person I met said they were 18. I had police contact saying that the person was a minor. If I did not know will I still get charged with a crime?
A:
We are sorry that you find yourself in this situation. Unfortunately this situation is more common than most people think. First, lets address the biggest problem that our clients in this situation face: A minor cannot consent under ARS 13-1405. In Arizona the age of consent is 18yrs old this means that anyone under the age of 18, under the law, lacks the ability to give consent. A lack of knowledge in these situation will not absolve the client of criminal liability and you can still be charged with Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, under ARS 13-1401, which is a class 2 felony that would require you to Register as a Sex Offender and life time sex offender Probation. However, your lack of knowledge in this specific situation is a mitigator. Due to the nature of the allegations we recommend that you contact an attorney immediately.
-Michelle Skura, Esq.
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