What is the Age of Consent in Oklahoma?
Sex Crimes Lawyer in Norman, OK
In Oklahoma, the age of consent is 16 years of age, which means it is illegal for a minor who is 15 years old or younger to have consensual sex with an adult who is at least 18 years old. The age of consent is the minimum legal age in which an individual has the mental capacity to consent to engage in sexual intercourse with another person.
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Exceptions to the Age of Consent Laws
There are two exceptions to this law: when the two parties are married, and when the two parties are close in age. Oklahoma has a marital exception for consensual sex between a minor and an adult. When it comes to being close in age, the “Romeo and Juliet” exception applies to consensual sex between two minors who are at least 14 years of age but younger than 18. Keep in mind, having sex with a child under 14 years old—no matter if the minor is married or is close in age with his/her partner—will result in criminal charges.
Statutory Rape Laws in Oklahoma
If an adult has sex with a minor who is under 16 years of age, he/she could be charged with statutory rape in Oklahoma. This offense is prosecuted under the state’s rape and sex crime laws.
The following are the potential charges and penalties a person can face for being accused of statutory rape:
- Lewd acts with a minor who is 15 years old or younger – Sexual touching between a minor who is younger than 16 and a person who is at least three years older. A conviction can lead to a maximum three-year prison sentence.
- Second-degree rape – Consensual sex between a minor who is younger than 14 years old and a person who is younger than 18, or consensual sex between a minor who is between 14 and 15 years of age and a person who is at least 18 years old. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years (with a minimum sentence of one year).
- First-degree rape – Consensual sex between a minor who is younger than 14 and an adult who is at least 18. A conviction can lead to life imprisonment (with a minimum sentence of five years).
If you have been accused of statutory rape in Norman, contact the Law Offices of Keith J. Nedwick, P.C.today at (866) 590-8173 for a confidential meeting.