Dating laws in delaware

Delaware Statutory Rape Laws

In Delaware, the age of consent for sexual activity is 18 years old. This means any person 18 or older can legally consent to sex. However, Delaware also has limited Romeo and Juliet laws that provide close-in-age exemptions for certain consensual underage relationships. But the defenses have strict requirements and limitations. They provide legal defenses for defendants charged with statutory rape for consensual acts with a minor. The intent is to avoid criminalizing underage couples who willingly engage in sexual relationships. These laws recognize that adolescents often experiment sexually before turning Delaware passed its Romeo and Juliet provisions in to allow some flexibility in statutory rape cases. However, these defenses only reduce the level of felony, they do not legalize the sexual activity. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of Romeo and Juliet laws :.

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A person who engages in sexual activities with a minor can face criminal charges in Delaware. These criminal acts are commonly referred to as statutory rape. Statutory rape laws are premised on the assumption that minors younger than a certain age are incapable of giving informed consent to sexual activities.

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Delaware law enforcement and prosecutors are tough on rape crimes. There are several different categories of rape in Delaware, including aggravated rape and statutory rape. Defendants should take statutory rape charges seriously. In some cases, defendants charged with statutory rape are surprised because the alleged victim consented to the sexual activity. However, in Delaware, it is illegal for an adult who is 18 or older to have sex with a minor who is 15 or younger, even when both consent.

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Delaware Age of Consent Lawyers

Delaware is tough on sex offenses involving minor children, designating most of these crimes as felonies punishable by long prison terms and fines. Plus, there is one key collateral consequence that could follow you around long after you serve your sentence: You may need to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life if convicted. This strategy for deterring misconduct and protecting children is effective, but it can also have unintended ramifications for teens who are prone to sexual experimentation that is entirely consensual. If you or your child has been charged with a sex crime involving a minor, these laws could benefit your case. A successful strategy starts with retaining a Wilmington sex crimes defense lawyer , but some background information may help.

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