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.
1 user found this answer helpful
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.
