Age of Consent in Georgia
Every state has an age of consent law that determines the age at which an individual is considered legally old enough to willingly participate in sexual activity. In some states, the age of consent is 18; in others, it can be as low as 16-years-old. This lack of consistency can cause confusion that results in a sex crime charge.
In Georgia, the age of consent is 16-years old. Therefore, a 16-year-old is a consenting adult in the eyes of Georgia law and can engage in sexual activity. However, believing that someone is 16-years-old is not the same as them being 16-years-old.
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What if a Minor Lies About Their Age?
Not knowing the age of an underage person is not an excuse for statutory rape. If you are unsure if a person is telling the truth about their age, it’s better to be safe than sorry and to refuse sexual advances from him or her. If minors tell people that they are 16 when they are underage, sexual partners can still be tried and convicted for statutory rape despite the minors’ deceptions.
In Georgia, statutory rape is defined as a person willfully engaging in sexual intercourse with someone under the legal consenting age of 16. Statutory rape can result in a felony charge and is punishable with up to 20 years in jail.
Have You Been Accused of Statutory Rape?
If you or a loved one has been accused of statutory rape, you should hire experienced criminal defense for your case. The ABT Law Firm offers award-winning criminal defense for its clients, and we work hard to get the best possible outcomes for our clients. When your future is on the line, trust our Atlanta sex crime lawyer to get the job done.
We understand that mistakes happen, we want to help protect you from yours. Schedule a FREE consultation today!
