May I be charged for having a intimate relationship by having a 16-year-old?

There is certainly a joke that is long-running the appropriate community about lawyers’ reluctance to resolve any question with a straightforward “yes” or “no.” alternatively, what you would frequently hear is, “It depends.” There’s a reason that is good this. Laws are not at all times white and black. You will find exceptions to guidelines or even exceptions towards the exceptions. You are able to most likely see where we’re going with this specific. The solution to whether or not it’s a criminal activity for a grown-up to possess intercourse having a 16-year-old is, well, “It depends.”

Although 16 may be the “age of consent” in Washington (meaning whoever are at minimum 16 years of age is regarded as old sufficient to lawfully consent to intercourse), the legislation comes with some exceptions. Whilst in numerous circumstances it’s completely legal for a grownup to own consensual intimate contact or sex having a 16-year-old, there are a few circumstances where it is really not.