‘Romeo And Juliet’ Law Changes Statutory Rape Definition

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A new state law set to take effect in September will make it legal for anyone who is at least 15-years-old to have sex with someone up to four years older.

The legislation – called the “Romeo and Juliet” bill – aims to protect young people engaging in consensual sex from winding up on the sex offender registry.

Austin, a 28-year-old who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his life changed drastically after police learned he had had sex with two underage girlfriends during high school.

“I was a senior in high school and I was 18, and they were both sophomores,” he said.

On his attorney’s advice, Austin agreed to 10 years of probation and sex offender status.

“He said, ‘It’s not that big of a deal. It won’t be that hard,’” Austin said.

That turned out to be far from the truth, he said.

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