What`s the Legal Dating Age in Washington
Some states have near-age exceptions where a minor under the age of consent can engage in sexual activity with an older partner as long as they are close to the minor. Washington does not allow this exception; It is illegal for anyone over the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity with a minor. However, state laws make an exception for married couples, depending on the age difference and age of the youngest spouse. RCW 9A.44.093(1)(a) makes it illegal to have or induce sexual intercourse with another person under the age of 18 who is 16 or 17 years of age and who is not married to the offender if the offender: The age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is of legal age to consent to participate in sexual activity with a partner. eighteen years or older. Simply put, if a person is fifteen or younger, they are not legally old enough to consent to participate in sexual activity. In Washington, the age of consent is 16. When a person turns 16, they can legally consent to sexual activity with an adult 18 years of age. These laws apply to both heterosexual and same-sex partners. As you can see above, the trend for the exception is that the people involved are married. If you are not legally married and do not engage in sexual activity, you are not protected by the age exemption.
If you face allegations of legal rape in Washington, contact a sex crimes attorney in Tacoma. A lawyer can protect you from these accusations and represent your side of the story in court. Speak to a defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest to discuss your legal options. In other words, if a person sixteen years of age or younger decides to marry a relative at an advanced age, they must obtain a court order for marriage and sexual interference to be legal. In Washington, the age of consent is 16 in most cases, but there are many exceptions. It is a defence against child rape, child abuse or sexual misconduct with a minor if you have been told that the person is of legal age and that it is reasonable for you to rely on what you have been told. But often, it`s your word against theirs, and these cases can pose many challenges to the defense. An increasing number of our cases start on the Internet, where young people pretend to be much older than they really are and behave very adult. These online chats often result in face-to-face meetings that can be disastrous for the person who is not very careful. If a person is too young to consent under the law, then consenting to sexual activity is not a defence. Society has found that children at certain ages are too young to understand the nature and consequences of sexual activity, and it is therefore illegal to have this contact. Period.
However, if the people involved are close to each other in age, the law does not make sexual touching illegal unless there is a lack of consent or violence is used to overcome resistance to sexual contact. In other words, under Washington law, peers can have consensual sexual touching without prosecution, but once there are more years than the number of years indicated between them, prosecution becomes a very real possibility. In Washington State, the age of consent to sexual activity is 16. Once a person turns 16, they can legally consent to sexual activity with a legal adult who is 18 or older. There are several exceptions to this rule, which are explained below. Age of consent laws in Washington State apply to both heterosexual and homosexual activity. Specific age differences that make sexual contact legal or illegal under the law are as follows: While in most cases it may be legal to have sex with a 16- or 17-year-old, it`s always best to proceed with caution. You need to make sure the person is actually the age they claim to be at and weigh any possible legal or other implications.
So-called “age of consent” laws, which set the age at which a person is considered old enough to legally consent to sex, vary from state to state. In general, the age at which a person can legally consent to sexual intercourse in Washington is 16, so sex with someone under the age of 16 is generally illegal for an adult who is not near a young person. There are even situations where another minor could be prosecuted for having sex with someone under the age of 16. Although a person may assume that they are conscious when having sex with a minor who has reached the age of 16, this is not always the case. The law has established certain circumstances in which even a person aged 16 or 17 is incapable of legally consenting to sexual relations. This usually has more to do with the characteristics of the other person than with the 16- or 17-year-old. Here are two types of charges that could arise from having sex with a minor. The Washington Act (Chapter 9A.44 RCW) explains sexual offences and describes situations in which sexual touching is not legal. These situations include coercion or coercion; mental disability or physical impotence; and differences in age or authority. See also WAC 246-16-100 for information on the rules for sexual misconduct by health professionals. If you have been charged with legal rape, or if you or your child are a victim of a violation of the laws described above, a defense attorney may be able to help. An experienced criminal defense attorney in Washington can help you face the charges you face or seek redress for abuse you or your child suffered.
It is a defence against these charges that the defendant must prove that it was reasonable for him to believe that the person he met was of age. The law states that the fact that the perpetrator did not know the actual age of the victim is not a defence, except that it is a defence if the offender reasonably believed at the time of the offence that the person was of legal age to engage in sexual interference or sexual intercourse. The accused must prove, on a balance of probabilities, that it was reasonable for him to assume that the victim was of age, based on the person`s statements. RCW 9A.44.030 Proving that a person made a false statement about their age and that it was a reasonable act for our client to rely on that misrepresentation is not always easy and requires an experienced and persistent lawyer. Since Washington does not have a Romeo and Juliet Law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of sixteen to participate in sexual activity, even if the couple is close to old age. If the law is violated, the partner over the age of 16 can be charged with legal rape. According to RCW 9A.44.093 (1) (b), it is illegal for a school employee to have sexual contact or sexual intercourse with a registered student of the school between the ages of 16 and 21 or to arrange another person under the age of 18. The offender must be at least 5 years older than the student. This information is available on the Ministry`s Hospital Policy webpage and summarized in Reproductive Services provided at Washington State Hospitals (Excel). In 1988, the age of consent was established to protect minors from explicit touching and sexual abuse in Washington State.
At Meryhew Law Group, we represent many clients charged with a sexual offence for a consensual relationship with someone too young by law to consent to sexual contact. In 1991, Washington changed the name of these crimes from legal rape to child rape and child abuse, and the penalties for these crimes can be very serious. These accusations can be devastating, labeling someone a sex offender for a very long time. Defending these accusations is difficult, but there are legal defenses and ways to mitigate the accusations so that your future is not lost once these allegations are made. Washington`s law allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills, patches and rings through agreements with licensed prescribers. (RCW 18.64.011 and WAC 246-863.110) As you can see, it is possible that another minor could be charged with raping a child in the first or second degree. The Washington Act (RCW 9.02.100) states that everyone has the fundamental right: Persons 14 years of age and older may consent to the testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (RCW 70.24.110) If a person over the age of 16 engages in sexual acts with a minor under the age of 16, This person committed legal rape. In addition, there are certain situations where a minor over the age of 16 but under the age of 18 cannot consent to sexual activity. If you`ve been charged with a sex crime in Washington State, contact Will & Will today. Under Washington law, “consent” means that at the time of sexual intercourse or sexual touching, there are actual words or behaviors that indicate voluntary consent to sexual intercourse or sexual touching.
In addition, a minor who has not reached the age of consent cannot legally consent to sexual activity. If an adult has sexual contact with a minor under the age of consent, he or she can be prosecuted for rape. Washington law requires state, county, city, and local governments, as well as municipal and quasi-municipal corporations, to provide abortion benefits, services, and information that are substantially equivalent to the benefits, services, and information they provide related to maternity care. Municipal agencies include hospitals operated by public hospital districts. (RCW 9.02.160 and RCW 9.02.170) Washington has a wide range of penalties, depending on the exact nature of the crime. For example, there are three degrees of severity for child abuse, ranging from 5 years in prison to life in prison, as well as a fine of $10,000 to $50,000.