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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
6 thru 10 of 238 comments
On 04/26/09
ButtaC from VA said:
im 16 going on 17 may 21 and he is 19 going on 20 June 19 is that illegal if we have parent consent?
On 04/22/09
kim from PA said:
im 16 and my boyfriends is turning 20 this august. but i was with him since i was 14 and he was 17
On 04/12/09
raaw from FL said:
i turn 18 on june 13th she turns 16 on june 30th... illegal?
On 04/08/09
nancy from KY said:
I am 17 and my boyfriend is 15 and we are really happy together. But he is wanting to try having sex and I'm scared to try because i'm older than him. Is it illegal for us to do that?
On 03/01/09
nichol from KY said:
ok my friend is almost 16...and this guy is 19...is it illegal in ky?? like..she can wait till she is 16...
6 thru 10 of 238 comments



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