What is Statutory Rape?
Call Now. Romeo and Juliet laws are statutes that provide certain protection from the harsh penalties of a sex-crime conviction for a consensual relationship when the participants involved are close in age, specifically minors. In most states, sex-crime laws have always been written stating that if a high school student engaged in consensual sexual activity with another of similar age, they could face a criminal conviction. The provisions are also meant to prevent a sexual act occurring between partners with a few years age gap from being considered a criminal offense, thereby reducing the severity of penalties or punishments for the same. In the United States, the minimum age at which a person is considered old enough legally to consent to involvement in sexual activity is known as the age of consent; which is specifically 18 years for any kind of sexual relationships in the state of Virginia. According to Virginia law, an individual who is 18 years or older could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor if engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15, 16 or year old. Basically, a consensual sexual relationship between two minors aged 15, 16 or 17 is legal, and only becomes illegal if one of the individuals involved is 18 or older. The statute includes an additional exception stating that if two individuals are married, they cannot be convicted of breaking this particular law, even if one party is 18 years of age or older. The severity of this offense depends upon the age of the offender.