I’m making this post as a reference to check back on later. In Idaho last year, legislators struck down a bill that would end child marriages in the state. I asked myself why anyone would support child marriage, and it made me wonder if statutory rape was exempted if one is married to the child. Turns out, that’s the case in pretty much every state that allows underage marriage. No wonder it’s so popular.
[State: minimum age to marry, exemption to statutory rape.]
Alabama: 16. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Arizona: 16. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Alaska: 17. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
California: No minimum age. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Connecticut: 16. Marriage or cohabitation exempt statutory rape.
Florida: 17. Couldn’t find info as to whether or not marriage exempts statutory rape.
Georgia: 17. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Hawaii: 15, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Idaho: 16 (as of July 1st, 2020, previously no minimum). Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Indiana: 15, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Kansas: 15, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Kentucky: 17. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Maine: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape except if they are married but not living together.
Maryland: 15, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Massachusetts: No minimum age, marriage is NOT a defense against statutory rape!
Michigan: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Mississippi: No minimum age with court consent; with parental consent, 15 for girls, 17 for boys. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Missouri: 16. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
New Hampshire: 16. Marriage exempts statutory rape as long as it is “consensual” and the child is over 13.
New Mexico: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
North Carolina: 14, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Oklahoma: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Pennsylvania: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Rhode Island: No minimum age, Couldn’t find info as to whether or not marriage exempts statutory rape.
Tennessee: 17. Couldn’t find info as to whether or not marriage exempts statutory rape.
Utah: 16. Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Washington: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
West Virginia: No minimum age, Marriage exempts statutory rape.
Wyoming: No minimum age, Couldn’t find info as to whether or not marriage exempts statutory rape.
Sources:
Criminal Defense Lawyer dot com; just change the state in the URL to the state you’re looking for.
Mikl Moose 