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Question: With parental consent, can a child at the age of 16 date someone who is over 18? Is it legal for a minor to date someone 18 or older if sex is not a factor and the minor has parental consent?

Answer: A parent cannot consent on behalf of a minor to sexual activity with that minor which would otherwise be illegal. A parent can consent, however, to a teenager dating someone 18 years or older as long as sexual activity is not involved.

Arizona Law says (ARS §13-1405) that it is generally illegal for anyone over 18 to have sex with a person under the age of eighteen. There are exceptions, however. These exceptions can be found in specific Arizona Laws (See ARS §13-1407(F) -- which sets out a relevant defense to the sexual offense in ARS §13-1405)

If all of the following are true, then it is not criminal for two teenagers to have sexual relations:

1. the minor (or the younger person) is at least 15 years old
2. the older person is less than 24 months older than the younger one
3. the activity is consensual
4. the older person is under 19 years of age or still in high school

Therefore, a 16 year old can have sexual relations with an eighteen year old as long as the activity is consensual and the 18 year old is less than 24 months older than the 16 year old. If the 16 year old turned 16 in July of 2001, and the eighteen year old turned 18 in June of 2001, they are 25 months apart in age and it is illegal.


Comments
1 thru 5 of 238 comments
On 05/19/09
Jake from NC said:
is it true you can date someone is 5 years younger then me. im 18
On 05/16/09
mariah from OH said:
ok im 16 years old age and my ex b.f is 22 years of age and we both want to get back together is it ok
On 05/12/09
Taylor from GA said:
Im 15 and i will be 16 in august my bf is 18 and he will be 19 in feburary is it illegal
On 05/10/09
Ann from IL said:
If I am 17 and my boyfriend is 15. If I turn 18 in August and he turns 16 in October. Is it Illegal to go out wit him?
On 04/29/09
kyle from VA said:
So if im 16 and pretty much take care of myself, Is it illigal for me to date an 19 year old about to turn 20?
1 thru 5 of 238 comments



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