[CA] Can a 25-year-old date a 17-year-old?
Technically, there’s no law that outright bans a non-sexual dating relationship between a 25-year-old and a 17-year-old. However, if the relationship becomes sexual, the older person could face serious criminal liability because a minor cannot legally consent. Anything sexual could potentially be treated as statutory rape, even if the younger person agrees, so it’s risky (Penal Code §261.5).
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Can a 25-year-old date a 17-year-old in California?
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Technically, there’s no law that outright bans a non-sexual dating relationship between a 25-year-old and a 17-year-old. However, if the relationship becomes sexual, the older person could face serious criminal liability because a minor cannot legally consent. Anything sexual could potentially be treated as statutory rape, even if the younger person agrees, so it’s risky (Penal Code §261.5).
