Romeo and Juliet Law logo — scales of justice inside a heart
Romeo&JulietLaw
U.S. Legal Resource

State Comparison Tool

Compare age of consent and close-in-age (Romeo and Juliet) provisions for up to three U.S. states side-by-side.

Last Updated:

Before you use this tool

This comparison surfaces the headline statutory differences between three U.S. states: the general age of consent, whether a close-in-age exception exists, and a short summary. It is intended for general orientation and research, not to support a real-world legal decision.

Use the side-by-side view to identify where states diverge, then click through to each state's full guide and the official statute before drawing any conclusion.

ProvisionCaliforniaTexasFlorida
Age of Consent181718
Close-in-Age ExemptionNo formal exemptionYes — 3-year affirmative defense, victim 14+, actor not already a registrantYes — 16-17 with partner under 24
SummaryAge 18; misdemeanor 'unlawful intercourse' for close-age teens.Age 17; the defense is conditional and § 21.12 reaches enrolled students of any age.Age 18; 'Romeo & Juliet' law allows partners 16-17 with someone under 24.

Official Sources

  • Congress.gov — Directory of State Legislature Websites
    Official portal for each state's statute database.
  • Cornell Law School — Legal Information Institute
    Plain-language overview of statutory rape and Romeo and Juliet provisions by state.
  • National Conference of State Legislatures
    Tracks legislative changes affecting consent and related statutes.

State-Law Limitations of This Tool

  • Comparison only displays headline provisions. Many states have multiple consent ages, tiered offenses, and special rules for specific age combinations.
  • Does not capture authority-relationship rules, marriage exceptions, mandatory reporting, or digital communications statutes.
  • Does not reflect prosecutorial discretion, charging practices, or local case law.
  • Does not capture federal law, military jurisdiction, or tribal-land jurisdiction.
  • Always verify with the linked official state statute before relying on the summary.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Each state legislature sets its own criminal code. Age of consent ranges from 16 to 18, and close-in-age provisions differ in their age gap limits, age floors, and legal effect (affirmative defense, reduced charge, or no exemption at all).

No. The comparison shows summary statutory data only. Whether conduct is lawful depends on facts the table does not display — authority, consent, digital conduct, marriage, federal law, and more. Use it to plan further research, not to draw conclusions.

Multiple jurisdictions can apply, including the state where conduct occurred, the state of residence, and federal law if travel or interstate communications were involved. A licensed attorney should evaluate cross-state situations individually.

We review statutes regularly and display a Last Updated date. Always cross-check the official state statute before relying on the summary.
Advertisement