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U.S. Legal Resource

Age Gap Comparison

Compare two whole-year ages and read the selected state summary as a starting point for research.

Last Updated:

Before you use this tool

This tool is a starting point for understanding how a state's age of consent and any close-in-age (Romeo and Juliet) provision generally apply to a given age pair. It is not a verdict. It does not interpret aggravating factors such as authority relationships, force, incapacity, digital communications offenses, prior convictions, marriage status, or federal offenses.

To use the checker, select a state and enter both parties' ages. The tool will summarize the relevant statutory framework and direct you to authoritative resources. Always verify with the official statute and a licensed attorney before drawing any conclusion about a real-world situation.

This summary does not determine whether an exception applies. Check the specific offense, exact birthdates, statutory conditions, and other applicable laws.

Whole-year age difference: 2 years. The Alabama guide lists a general age of consent of 16 and this close-in-age summary: "Yes — within 2 years". These are research references, not a finding that the provision applies. Whole-year inputs do not establish the exact birthdate gap.

Official Sources

  • Alabama Legislature — Official Statutes
    Use this directory to reach the official statute database for the selected state.
  • Cornell Law School — Legal Information Institute
    Plain-language overview of statutory rape and close-in-age provisions across U.S. states.
  • U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Sexual Abuse of a Minor
    Federal 18 U.S.C. § 2243 framework, which can apply alongside state law.
  • National Conference of State Legislatures
    Tracks legislative changes to consent, marriage, and related statutes.

Find the relevant jurisdiction in the Cornell LII state law directory. Check the exact section and effective date in its official code.

State-Law Limitations of This Tool

  • Does not account for relationships of authority (teacher, coach, guardian, employer, clergy, medical provider), which usually void any close-in-age exemption.
  • Does not consider force, threats, coercion, intoxication, or incapacity — any of which can elevate charges regardless of age.
  • Does not evaluate digital conduct (sexting, image transmission, online solicitation), which is often prosecuted under separate statutes.
  • Does not reflect prosecutorial discretion, plea practices, or local court interpretations.
  • Does not capture federal law (interstate travel, online communications, military jurisdiction, tribal land).
  • Does not track every recent statutory amendment — always verify against the official state code linked above.

Related Pages

→ Read the full Alabama state guide

Frequently Asked Questions

No. It only summarizes how the age of consent and any close-in-age provision in the selected state generally work. It cannot account for authority relationships, force, incapacity, digital communications, prior offenses, or fact-specific defenses. Always confirm with the official statute and a licensed attorney.

It is a statutory provision in some states that reduces or eliminates penalties when both parties are close in age and one party is below the age of consent. The exact age gap, age floor, and effect (affirmative defense vs. reduced charge) vary by state.

Because state statutes are nuanced. The same age gap can be lawful in one state and a serious offense in another. Giving a binary answer would mislead users into treating an educational summary as legal advice.

No. Other laws may still apply, including marriage age, parental consent, mandatory reporting, digital communications laws, prohibitions on relationships of authority, and federal offenses for travel or interstate communications.

The summaries are research starting points. An edit date is not evidence that every statute was checked or that an attorney reviewed the output. Verify the current official code and the conditions for the particular offense.
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