In New York, the legal age of consent is 17 years old. “Romeo and Juliet” and New York’s Statutory Rape Laws in 2023Īs of 2023, statutory rape is a serious crime in New York, as it is in most states. These provide exceptions to statutory rape charges for certain consensual relationships between minors and adults. However, some states have “Romeo and Juliet” laws. This means that anyone who engages in sexual activity with a person under the age of 17 can face statutory rape charges. The age of consent is 17 years old in New York.
In New York, as in many other states, the issue of consensual sexual relationships between minors and adults can be complex and contentious.