Laws Regarding Under Age Sex and Consensual Sex

Our Illinois sex crime lawyers know how to handle sex crimes involving under age persons. Call us today at (312) 466-9466 to speak with a Chicago criminal defense lawyer.

Accusations of under age sexual offenses should be taken very seriously. The laws regarding unde age and consensual sex are complex, and punishments for convictions are extremely punative.

One very common scenario in which Sexual Abuse is charged involves boyfriends and girlfriends.

Even with consent, a boy may be charged with a crime for having a sexual relationship with a girl below the age of 13. Under 720 ILCS 5/12-16 (d) "The accused commits Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse if he or she commits an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct with a victim who was at least 13 years of age, but under 17 years of age and the accused was at least 5 years older than the victim."

If the victim was less than 5 years younger than the accused, then it is simple Criminal Sexual Abuse, which is not a felony but still requires sex offender registration. Although the statute says "he or she" it is almost always the boy who is charged.

Our Chicago criminal defense lawyers have ample experience defending those who are accused of sexual abuse involving under age individuals. To learn more, read how we defended a young man who was charged with Criminal Sexual Abuse because he had a sexual relationship with his girlfriend.