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U.S. Legal Resource

Age Gap Legality Checker

An educational estimator that compares two ages against the close-in-age (Romeo and Juliet) provisions of any U.S. state.

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.

Based on the information entered, this may fall within a close-in-age exception in some situations. Laws vary by state. Review the official statute or speak with a licensed attorney.

Both individuals are at or above Alabama's general age of consent (16). Other laws (authority relationships, marriage age, digital communications, federal law) may still apply.

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.

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.

We review statutes regularly and post a Last Updated date, but state legislatures amend laws frequently. Treat the data as a starting point only, and always verify with the official state statute linked on the relevant state page.
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