|
|
Last Modified on Oct 15, 2025
Legal Age of Consent in Pennsylvania
One of the more important rules governing consent in the state of Pennsylvania is the age of consent. Essentially, the age of consent is the age at which an individual can legally consent to any sort of sexual activity. While the age of majority is 18 across the United States, the age of consent may differ depending on where you are. According to ageofconsent.net, the age of consent in the state of Pennsylvania is 16.
What this means is that individuals in the state of Pennsylvania that are 15 years of age or younger cannot consent to sexual activity. It is important to ensure that you know the age of the person that you are engaging in sexual activity with to make sure that they are at least 16 years of age (depending on your own age; elaboration to follow).
It is important to know that Pennsylvania in particular has a strange law loophole where age of consent is concerned. Given that Pennsylvania has a Corruption of Minors statute, this makes the de facto age of consent 18, despite the actual age of consent law stating 16. This results in an interesting conundrum where individuals who are 16 and 17 years of age can consent to sexual contact with each other but not with individuals who are over 18.
Pennsylvania also does have a so-called Romeo and Juliet law, or a close in age exemption. Generally speaking, if a couple is found to be very close in age to each other but one party is below the age of consent, this will be found legal under Pennsylvania law. However, it is important to know that this is not a guarantee. Depending upon the other facts in the case at hand, a close in age exemption may not apply.
If you or someone you care about is facing charges related to age of consent or any other sex crime in Pennsylvania, it’s critical to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh sex crime defense attorney right away. The legal team at Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices has decades of experience defending clients in complex sex crime cases throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We will evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and fight to protect your rights and your future.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
