Q: What activities counts as illegal when dating a 16 year old as an 18 year old.
Is kissing a form of sexual contact? And is it illegal to do so and how severe is it when it comes to the California law?
A: You are asking what you can get away with until you are guilty of rape. child molesting and alike. Perhaps JA and his AI generated responses can provide you guidance.
A:
When dating a 16-year-old as an 18-year-old in California, certain activities can be considered illegal. California law sets the age of consent at 18, meaning any sexual activities with someone younger can lead to legal consequences. Even actions that might seem harmless, like kissing, are viewed as forms of sexual contact and can fall under these regulations.
Kissing a minor can be classified as unlawful sexual conduct, depending on the circumstances. However, California has provisions known as "Romeo and Juliet" laws that may apply if the age difference is small, such as the two-year gap in your situation. These laws are designed to prevent severe penalties for consensual relationships where both parties are close in age.
The severity of the offense can vary based on specific factors, including the nature of the relationship and any prior incidents. While a minor penalty might be possible under certain conditions, it's important to understand the legal risks involved. Consulting with a legal professional can provide clarity and help you navigate the complexities of California’s laws in your particular case.
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.