Is It Legal in My State?
A 5-step guided walk-through that surfaces close-in-age (Romeo and Juliet) considerations in your state.
Last Updated: · Reviewed by our Editorial Review Team
Before you use this tool
This quiz collects a handful of common variables — state, ages, authority relationship, and consent — and produces an educational summary of the statutory framework that may apply. It does not return a yes/no verdict on whether any specific conduct is lawful.
Even when the summary suggests a close-in-age provision may apply, that is not a green light. Many other factors can change the outcome, and prosecutorial discretion and case-specific facts always matter.
Step 1 — Select your state
Official Sources
- California Legislature — Official StatutesDirectory linking to each state's official statute database.
- Cornell Law School — Legal Information InstituteBackground on statutory rape and close-in-age provisions.
- RAINN — National Sexual Assault HotlineFree, confidential 24/7 support if you or someone you know is affected.
- U.S. Department of Justice — Sexual Abuse of a MinorOverview of federal 18 U.S.C. § 2243.
State-Law Limitations of This Tool
- Quiz captures only five variables. Real statutes involve many more (force, incapacity, prior offenses, marriage, digital conduct, federal jurisdiction).
- Some states have multiple consent ages, tiered offenses, or special rules for specific age combinations the quiz does not model.
- Authority and consent are simplified to yes/no inputs; real cases turn on detailed fact patterns.
- Does not reflect prosecutorial discretion, plea practices, or recent statutory amendments.
- Always verify with the linked official state statute and a licensed attorney before acting.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It walks through a handful of common variables (age, age gap, authority, consent) and surfaces educational context. It cannot determine whether any real-world conduct is a crime. That requires the official statute and a licensed attorney.
Most U.S. states void close-in-age exemptions when one party is in a position of trust or authority — including teachers, coaches, clergy, guardians, employers, medical providers, and corrections officers — even if both parties are above the general age of consent.
Any sexual activity without freely given consent is potentially a serious criminal matter, separate from age-based statutes. This is not something the quiz can evaluate. Contact law enforcement or a licensed attorney immediately.
Stop using online tools as a substitute for legal counsel. Contact a licensed attorney in your state. If you need free or low-cost help, visit our Legal Aid Resources page for state bar lawyer-referral lines and legal aid organizations.
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