Statutory Rape: A Guide to State Laws and Reporting Requirements
The age of majority in Texas is A year-old is not entirely powerless, however, and these minors enjoy many of the rights that we usually associate with adulthood, such as the right to engage in sexual activity and hold a job. By Texas law, year-olds can petition the court for emancipation to remove their minority status. This means they become adults in the eyes of the law. Applicants must show that they are capable of supporting themselves and managing their own affairs, for example, by having a full-time job.
In Texas, when a person commits a sexual act with someone under the age of 17, but over the law of 13, and the person is less than 5 years older than the minor.
Statutory rape is a strict liability crime, meaning that the consent of the younger person or mistake about their age is not a defense. For example, a state might set the age of consent at In these states, such as Texas, the age of consent is determined by age differentials between the two persons and limited by a minimum age. If you need a quick guide for each state, a chart is provided below.
Be aware that the law may be more complex than the chart shows and that the information given is subject to change. You can refer to our reviews page if you want to know what our clients have to say about us. While at LegalMatch, Peter used his expertise to cover a wide range of topics in criminal law, personal injury, constitutional law, and estate planning.
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