Index/Topics/Underage sexual activity laws

Underage sexual activity laws

Laws and penalties regarding underage sexual activity in various U.S. states and Canada, including close-in-age exceptions and defenses.

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5 results
Jan 22, 2026
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What are the guidelines for ICE agents to use pepper spray on minors?

authorizes oleoresin capsicum (OC, “”) among its approved force tools inside detention facilities, but the agency’s 2011 detention standards document does not set out a standalone, age-specific protoc...

Feb 1, 2026
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Which countries have an age of consent below 18 but explicitly prohibit appearing in pornographic material under 18?

A clear legal divide exists between "" for sexual activity and the minimum age to appear in pornographic material: multiple jurisdictions set consent below 18 while explicitly banning anyone under 18 ...

Feb 3, 2026

What legal protections do teachers and students have in Florida when their criticism of a foreign government is labeled discriminatory?

Teachers and students in retain core federal and state civil‑rights protections and First Amendment guarantees, but a recent patchwork of state statutes and classroom rules has created legal uncertain...

Feb 2, 2026

Which U.S. states have the most restrictive statutes for authority‑figure sexual misconduct with minors?

A patchwork of state laws governs by authority figures toward minors, and the most restrictive regimes are those that (a) criminalize and position‑of‑authority sexual contact even when the child is ab...

Jan 6, 2026

What are the legal definitions and penalties in the U.S. for sexual activity with a minor and how do they apply to high-profile individuals?

Sexual activity with a minor in the United States is primarily defined by state statutory‑consent rules and by federal statutes that criminalize exploitation, trafficking, and interstate or commercial...