Age Of Consent By State

In the United States, the laws surrounding the age of consent are as diverse as the landscape itself. Each state, with its unique blend of cultural and societal norms, sets its age of consent, with a legal threshold ranging from 16 to 18 years old. Certain states additionally utilize such provisions as close-in-age exemptions, often termed as "Romeo and Juliet laws," and other authority-related restrictions to ensure a comprehensive and responsible approach to sexual consent issues, safeguarding minors from sexual predators.

• Across the country, the most prevalent age of consent is 16, a standard shared by the majority of states.
• A handful of states choose a higher minimum threshold, setting their age of consent at 18. These states include California, Florida, Idaho, Oregon, and others.
• Some states opt for a middle ground, placing their age at 17. These include Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, and others.
• Legislative changes continually affect these figures, as evidenced by the increase in the age of consent from 16 to 17 in Wyoming and New Mexico between 2018 and 2019.