In Massachusetts, the age of consent is 16 years old. Keep in mind, Massachusetts does not have any “Romeo and Juliet” laws that protect individuals who engage in consensual sexual activity when both partners are close in age to one another, and when one or both participants are below the age of consent.

Can a 19 year old date a 16 year old in Massachusetts?

The justices based their ruling on a Massachusetts law that established the legal age of sexual consent as 16. The law states that so long as the sexual relationship is not otherwise “unlawful” or with a “chaste” individual, an adult may “entice” a minor age sixteen and older to engage in sexual intercourse.

Can a 16 year old date a 20 year old in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is one of 8 states with different ages of sexual consent for males and females. Generally, the age of consent for females is 16, and for males it is 18. This only applies to heterosexual conduct. Massachusetts currently has no law which addresses the age of consent for homosexual conduct.

What is the Romeo and Juliet law in Massachusetts?

Because there is no such Romeo and Juliet law in Massachusetts, it is possible for two individuals both under the age of 16 who willingly engage in intercourse to both be prosecuted for statutory rape, although this is rare.