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Simple English definitions for legal terms
age of consent
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A quick definition of age of consent:
Age of consent: The age at which a person is considered old enough to say "yes" to something. This could be saying "yes" to sex or other activities. In most places, the age of consent is 18 years old. But in some places, it can be as low as 16 years old. If someone is under the age of consent, they cannot legally say "yes" to sex. If someone over the age of consent has sex with someone under the age of consent, it is called "statutory rape" and is against the law.
A more thorough explanation:
In family law, the age of consent refers to the age at which a person is considered legally old enough to give meaningful consent. This means that they are able to make decisions for themselves and understand the consequences of their actions. In most states, the age of consent for sexual activity is between 16 and 18 years old.
For example, in New York State, the age of consent is 17 years old. This means that individuals under the age of 17 are not legally able to consent to sexual activity. If someone who is 18 years old or older engages in sexual activity with someone under the age of 17, it is considered statutory rape.
It's important to note that even if someone is over the age of consent, they may not be able to give meaningful consent if they lack the capacity to do so. This could be due to a developmental disability, illness, or duress.
Overall, the age of consent is an important legal concept that helps protect individuals from being taken advantage of in sexual situations.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) | age of majority