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What state has the age of consent at 14?

Published in Age of Consent Law 2 mins read

Rhode Island and South Carolina are the states that have the age of consent set at 14.

Understanding the Age of Consent

The age of consent is a crucial legal standard that defines the age at which an individual is legally capable of agreeing to sexual activity. This age varies considerably across different jurisdictions, reflecting societal and legal perspectives on maturity and protection. In the United States, while many states set the age of consent at 16, 17, or 18, a few states have a lower age.

States with a 14-Year Age of Consent

Based on current statutes, two states in the U.S. have established their age of consent at 14 years old:

  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina

It's important to understand that legal frameworks regarding age of consent can be complex. Even with a specific age of consent, there are often nuances such as "unrestricted ages" or "Romeo and Juliet laws," which may apply when individuals involved are close in age. For instance, in both Rhode Island and South Carolina, the age where certain age-gap defenses might no longer apply for the younger person (often referred to as the unrestricted age in some contexts) is 16.

For a comprehensive overview of age of consent laws across the United States, including specific details and variations, you can refer to resources on the Age of Consent in the United States.

Here is a quick reference table for clarity:

State Age of Consent Unrestricted Age
Rhode Island 14 16
South Carolina 14 16