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Asked by: Germelina Furundarena
family and relationships parenting teensWhat is the Romeo and Juliet law in Utah?
The “Romeo and Juliet” Exemption
In Utah, there is a Romeo and Juliet exemption for consensual sex between minors who are close in age and even when one party is a minor, but the defendant is fewer than seven (or ten) years older than the minor (discussed above). (Utah Code Ann. §§ 76-5-401.2, 76-5-401.3 (2018).)
In this way, can an 18 year old date a 16 year old in Utah?
Utah is among the few U.S. states that have separate ages of consent for women and men. For women, the age of consent in Utah is 16 years old. While for men, it is 18 years old. No person under the age of 18, male or female, can legally consent to sex with a person who is more than 10 years older than the minor.
In this manner, can a 17 year old date a 21 year old in Utah?
There is no law that prevents a 19 year old from dating a 17 year old. However, if you have sexual relations you could have problems with having sex with a minor and be charged with that.
There is nothing illegal about a 20 year old dating a 17 year old. However, the 17 year old's parents could stop her from dating.