Texas is one of many states that acknowledges that teens and young adults regularly engage in consensual sex with other teens who are the same age or below the age of consent. Typically, the oldest member of the couple would be charged with statutory rape, according to the old statutes.
Now, however, Texas has adopted Romeo and Juliet law to address the scenario of 2 teens in agreement who both consent to the sexual practices within their relationship. This Romeo and Juliet law separates this kind of situation from sexual assault and clearly defines the differences. It is an amendment designed to protect teens due to the changing culture of the 21st century. Texas Penal Code A was not required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or B was not a person who under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section; and.
A was a child of 14 years of age or older; and B was not a person whom the actor was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry or with whom the actor was prohibited from living under the appearance of being married under Section Many other states have also adopted this amended or new statute in an effort to protect teens from facing the harsh charges involved with sex crimes including rape convictions.
Two young teens fell in love, but their parents prohibited them from seeing each other. Tragically, they killed themselves so they could be together in death. This includes teens who are close in age and participating in consensual sexual activities below the age of consent.
In Texas, both parties must completely consent to the relationship, whether they are hiding it from their parents or other adults in authority or not. Rick Perry in Currently, Texas is 1 of 24 states with such protections in place. According to Texas law, even with the Romeo and Juliet law in effect, the age of limitation the youngest age permissible for either male or female to legally participate in sexual activity is This law allows teens who are 3 years or less apart in age to have intercourse legally without facing penalties, when previously they could be charged with statutory rape.
