Full question:
Can a sixteen year old date a twenty four year old legally as long as there is no sexual contact?
- Category: Minors
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
In Texas, the law regarding relationships between minors and adults is primarily concerned with sexual conduct. According to Texas Penal Code § 21.11, a person commits an offense if they engage in sexual contact with a child under 17 years old, which includes any touching with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire.
However, if there is no sexual contact, dating itself is not illegal. The law does provide an affirmative defense if the adult is not more than three years older than the minor and did not use duress or force. In your case, since the sixteen-year-old is dating a twenty-four-year-old, this situation does not meet the age criteria for the affirmative defense.
It's important to note that while dating without sexual contact may not be illegal, there could still be social or parental concerns. Always consider the implications of such a relationship.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.