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Can a 20 year old date a 17 year old in California?

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Sophia Sparks

Published Mar 12, 2026

Can a 20 year old date a 17 year old in California?

Can a 21 year old date a 17 year old in California? Yes, so long as the relationship is not sexual. If they have sexual intercourse, the 21-year-old can face criminal charges for statutory rape if they are not married.

Moreover, can a 19 year old date a 17 year old in California?

It is not true. A seventeen year old is legally incapable of consenting to sexual contact. This does not change if the sexual partner is 19. What the law in CA does, however, is that for a statutory rape case involving a 17 year old and 19 year old

Secondly, can a 16 year old date a 20 year old in California? This is a California state law only, however, as many states vary in age of consent, with some as low as 16 years old. Technically it is legal for someone under the age of 18 to have a dating relationship with an adult or another minor, as long as no sexual penetration occurs.

Thereof, is a 17 year old dating a 20 year old legal?

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.

Is 17 the legal age of consent in California?

The minimum age at which a person is considered legally old enough to consent to sexual activity in California is 18 years of age. This means minors who are 17 years old or younger in California are prohibited from engaging in sexual contact.

Is kissing a minor illegal in California?

Under the California Penal Code section 647.6, it is a crime for any person to ? annoy or molest any child under 18 years of age. Kissing with the intent to arouse sexual feelings falls under this section. A short kiss without tongue action does not fall under this section.

Is it illegal for a 17 year old to date a 30 year old?

Well, there is no Law that states you cannot date someone under 18. In fact I dated a 16yr old when I was 19. But that's a bit different with a 3yr age gap. However, Legally in the United States, both people must be 18 or older to engage in sexual activity.
There's not really anything illegal about the 18 year old 'dating' a 15 year old. However, it gets to be a legal problem if 'dating' means 'having sexual relations. ' If you are having sex with this 18 year old guy, then he is committing a felony offense that could make him a sex offender. oral sex is out, too.

Is it bad for a 22 year old to date a 17 year old?

The law is not concerned with dating, but is concerned with sex. It is technically legal for a 22 year old to have a sexual relationship with a 17 year old; however, it still not a good idea. First, a 17 year old is still a minor.

Can an 18 year old kiss a 16 year old in California?

Not illegal, but if parents get concerned they may convince a DA of a violation of Penal Code 272(a)—California's “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” law—a misdemeanor in California law

Can you go to jail for dating a 17 year old?

Probably not. Even in states where the legal age of consent is 18, most of the make allowances for situations like yours in which there is only a slight age difference (sometimes called “Romeo and Juliet” laws).
No, it's not against the law for a 20 year old to "DATE" a 16 year old. The definition of 'date' means to go out together to a movie or to dinner or dance. It does not mean having sex regular or oral.

Can you date a 16 if your 18 in California?

Can an 18 year old date a 16 year old in California without facing criminal charges? (PC 261.5) The answer is that so long as the couple do not engage in sexual intercourse or oral copulation then they will likely not be prosecuted.

Is 17 and 20 a big age difference?

20 is an adult; 17 is not. Therefore, a 20 year old should not be dating a 17 year old. At this time in your life, 3 years makes a maturity and legal difference. If you are an adult dating an adult, 3 years is insignificant.

Is it OK for a 17 and 21 year old to date?

Absolutely. There is no law that prevents the two of you from dating (as in going to the movies, walking in the park, etc). However, if what you're really asking is if it's legal for a 17 year old to have sex with a 21 year old the answer is “It depends”. It's entirely dependent on where you are located.

Can a 17 and 24 year old date?

HOWEVER, there are many things which can occur between a 17 year-old and a 24 year-old which could be considered illegal. Just because the age of consent is 16, there is no steadfast protection which prevents illegal charges from being brought against the 24 year-old if a criminal act is occuring.

Is a 17 year old dating a 25 year old illegal?

Age of Consent,
In this state, a male or female under age 18 cannot consent to sex, regardless of the age of the other party. Thus, sexual relations between two 17-year-olds would be illegal, as would relations between a 17-year-old and a 25-year-old.

Is it weird for a 19 to date 17?

Is it weird or wrong for a 19 year old to date a 17 year old? No. That's an appropriate age difference, since you're at about the same stage of development. the age of consent is 18, but there are exceptions if the older person is less than 4 or 5 years older, which is also a lot of places.

What is the Romeo and Juliet law in California?

No, California does not have a Romeo and Juliet law. In California, it is illegal for anyone to engage in sexual intercourse with a minor. Even another minor. A Romeo and Juliet law says it is not always a crime to have consensual sex with a minor.

Can a 17 year old date a 24 year old in California?

A 24 year old can get into a lot of trouble with a 17 year old. Any actual sexual penetration or oral sex is obviously against the law and can land the 24 year old in prison.

Is it OK for a 16 year old to date a 14 year old?

It should be perfectly fine for a 14 and 16 year old to go places and do things together if their levels of maturity are about the same and what they want from the relationship is about the same.

Is it okay for a 14 year old to date a 17 year old?

It's not illegal to date, but you cannot legally consent to any sexual contact until you are 16.

Is it OK for a 18 year old to date a 16 year old?

It depends your definition of "Date." If you mean go to a movie or visit a coffee shop, then yes, an 18 can date a 16 year old. However, if by that you mean to be romantically involved, then no.

Is it illegal to date a minor in California?

California – The age of consent in California is 18. It is illegal for anyone to engage in sexual intercourse with a minor (someone under the age of 18), unless they are that person's spouse. California employs a tiered system where the greater the difference in age, the greater the penalty.

Is it OK for a 19 year old to date a 16 year old?

A 19 year old boy can date a 16 year old girl, but he cannot have any sexual contact with her or he runs the risk of being charged with sexual assault of a minor.

What can 18 year olds do legally in California?

What Happens When You Turn 18 in the State of California?
  • Enter into binding contracts - for example, leases, opening bank accounts and applying for loans (of course, to obtain the loan, you may still need a co-signer).
  • Buy or sell property, such as real estate and stock.
  • Marry without written consent of parents or guardian.
  • Sue or be sued.

Is it OK for a 13 year old to date a 16 year old?

The question as phrased, the answer is 'no. ' It is not legal. If the 16 year old engages in any sexual conduct with the 13 year old, they could face statutory rape charges and the parental consent assuming there was any would have no bearing

Is it okay for a 13 year old to date a 17 year old?

No. It is not illegal for a 13 and 17 year old to date. Or to kiss. That is your question.
Japan's federal laws put consent at 13, but prefectural laws vary and can raise consent up to 18 years old. In Thailand, the age is 15, but this seems to apply only to locals. In the sex trade, women must be 18 or older.
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Is it okay for a 15 year old to date a 17?

Thus, sexual relations between two 17-year-olds would be illegal, as would relations between a 17-year-old and a 25-year-old. Age differential. Thus, sexual relations between a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old would be legal, while the same relationship between a 15-year-old and a 21-year old would not.
Age of Majority18 years of age (Fam. §6500)
Eligibility for Emancipation14 years of age (Fam. §7120), or if married or in military (Fam. §7002)
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