Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania
Dating in Pa
I am 15 turning 16 in October and my boyfriend is 17 turning 18 in Febuary. My parents are ok with us dating, but his parents feel its illegal. Is this true? Is it illegal for a 15 year old to date a 17 year old? Is it illegal for a 16 year old to date a 18 year old?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Dating in Pa
It is not illegal for anyone to date another person, regardless of age.
The question comes into play with regard to having sexual contact.
The rule with regard to the charge of statutory sexual assault (statutory rape) is 14+4, 15+4 and 16-any age. In other words, it is not statutory sexual assault for a person 18 to have sex with a 14 year old, for a person 19 to have sex with a 15 year old, or a person of any age to have sex with a 16 year old.
However, a person over 18 can be charged with corruption of minors if that person has sex with a person under 18 years old.
The difference is that statutory sexual assault is a felony and subjects the person to Megan's Law, while corruption of minors is a misdemeanor.
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