Is it illegal to date a minor? (if your 18+)
So I always thought that it was illegal to date someone under 18 if your 18 +. I've done later research and found some things saying that it is not illegal to "date" (getting to know each other) someone but it is to have sexual contact. Can you reassure that I am correct? It is both illegal to date and have sexual contact with minors. Unless I'm wrong. I'm 19 years old. There are some people, don't know if they are minors or hopefully not adults because they said it is not illegal for a 14 and 24 year old (yuck) to date. I just need ligit resource and a lawyer is the best. Thank You.
It is illegal to have sexual contact, which can include touching or caressing, with a minor. There is an exception which generally allows parties who are both still in high school, AND the age difference between them is less than 1 year (365 days). Thus, a 18 year old senior male, in high school, with a Birthday of say April 1st could date a 17 year old Junior female also in high school with a Birthday of May 1st (less than 1 year difference) but if the Senior had a birthday which made him more than 365 older than the Junior, there could be trouble.
In your instance you are 19 and likely not still in school. You cannot date anybody younger than 18.
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You can date. You cannot have any sexual contact with anyone under the age of 16-it is a 40+ year felony depending on her age. This includes touching her butt or breast. Over 16 is a misdemeanor. But the problem is that if anyone thinks that contact is happening it can be very hard to prove otherwise. If you are convicted, you can end up a registered sex offender for life (there is an exception if you are less than 21, the difference is less than 4 years and the judge decides it is not against community interests.
It is better to just say no.
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Guy W Bluff
Thanks for the clarification. I should have included the absolute prohibition on touching under the age of 16 originally in my response but assumed from the original question that the asker was talking about somebody who was 17 or 18 as a premise.
Sexual contact is illegal.
Charles K. Kenyon Jr.
This is incomplete and can be incorrect. Consensual sexual contact with a 16-year-old is permitted, if unwise. However most people would have difficult time distinguishing between sexual contact and sexual intercourse under our rather bizarre statutes.
It is illegal to have sexual intercourse with someone age 16-17. That includes things you may not think of as intercourse. It is illegal to have sexual contact or interourse with anyone under the age of 16. The law does not care what your age is, just the age of the other person. It is possible, in Wisconsin, for two 17 year olds to both be charged _as adults_ with having sexual intercourse with a child.
As was pointed out, people may think more is happening in a dating relationship than is. Also, false accusations are not unheard of after a breakup with an immature partner.
Also, that someone lied about age is not a defense, even with a photo ID!
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Tajara Dommershausen
THIS IS NOT CORRECT INFORMATION IN WISCONSIN.
Guy W Bluff
What is the rule in Wisconsin?
Charles K. Kenyon Jr.
There is no close-in-age rule and the younger party can be charged. That is, a 14-year-old could be charged with sexual assault on a 16-year-old. There is also no effective statute of limitations!
Charles K. Kenyon Jr.
Dating is not prohibited.
Charles K. Kenyon Jr.
Also, sexual contact is not prohibited for 16+. However many things that you and I might think of as sexual contact are defined in Wisconsin as sexual intercourse.