Age of Consent


Definition of Age of Consent

The age of consent refers to when a person may get married without parental consent. The age of consent can also refer to when a person may legally consent to having sexual intercourse.

In statutory rape cases, the prosecution must prove that the victim had not obtained the age of consent at the time of sexual intercourse.



Age of Consent Explained

Most jurisdictions have codified the age of consent to reflect the concern that minors lack the mental capacity to make sound decisions about marriage and sexual intercourse.

When statutory rape laws define the age of consent, they make it a crime for anyone to have sexual intercourse with someone younger than the age of consent, regardless of whether the offender knew the minor had reached the age of consent.

Age of consent laws protect against incest and pedophilia.





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