Can Consensual Sex be a Crime?
If you are involved in a sex act with another person who gave their consent, you might think you’re in the clear and aren’t engaging in any illegal activities. Unfortunately, you might be surprised to learn that there are instances when consensual sex is a crime in the state of Florida.
In this brief article, a Tampa criminal defense attorney with our team at The Rickman Law Firm has shared an important overview on sex crimes in Florida and instances when consent is not necessarily legal.
Sex with a Minor
Imagine this scenario: a 17-year-old girl engages in a sexual act with a 25-year-old boyfriend. You might think this is covered under so-called “Romeo and Juliet” laws, but you’d be wrong because the 17-year-old cannot legally give consent, even if they verbally give it.
In Florida, the age of consent for any sex act is 18. More specifically, if the person is legally below the age of consent (18 in Florida, but lower in some other states) he or she is not capable of giving permission to have any sexual contact with an adult.
But, back to the “Romeo and Juliet” law. What if it’s a sex act between two minors or a minor and an adult who is just a few years older in age? After all, if a teen begins dating a senior during their freshman year of high school and they continue the relationship for a few years, does that mean the older of the two is guilty of statutory rape?
The “Romeo and Juliet” law was created for scenarios like that one and removes the requirement of registry as a sex offender or sexual predator in certain situations, primarily when the victim and perpetrator are close in age. Furthermore, this applies when:
- The victim is between the ages of 14 and 17
- The victim was no more than four years younger than the offender
- The perpetrator is not older than 24 years old
- The victim must have been a willing participant in the sexual activity
- The offender does not have any previous sex crimes on their record
In short, a person over 25 should not have sex with anyone under 18 because they are not protected by the “Romeo and Juliet” law and the minor cannot legally give their consent.
Incest
When we think of incest, we often think of people who are enduring abuse or who are from areas where there aren’t many people. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, two people may not know that they are related and may decide to continue their relationship even after learning that information. But, even if both parties are consenting to the relationship, incest is illegal and punishable by law in Florida.
For example, let’s consider two cousins who didn’t know they were related but decided to continue their relationship. They’re technically in violation of the law.
It’s important to note, incest involving a minor is a serious crime and consent is not possible. This is a crime punishable to the fullest extent of the law.
Solicitation or Prostitution
In Florida, it’s illegal to solicit or coerce someone into performing a sex act. Solicitation means bribing, coercing, or commanding another person to commit a crime or engage in sexual activity. The obvious example of this is in prostitution, where both the person performing the sex act and the person paying are technically consenting, but the act is still illegal.
Solicitation is also a gray area when it comes to consent because it’s hard to prove that the person performed the act because they wanted to instead of feeling pressured to. For that reason, it’s a crime.
If you’re being accused of committing a sex crime, you need the best felony defense attorney in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. Don’t hesitate to call our team to discuss how to protect your rights.
For a free consultation with a criminal defense attorney in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.