Even if sexual activity is claimed to be “consensual”, laws in Maine protect children from being exploited.
Prohibited consensual sexual activity includes any sexual act with a person aged under 16 years regardless of whether it is claimed as “consensual”. That is because no person under that age can consent to sexual activity as they are not considered mature enough to be able to make that decision.
However, there is an exception. In Maine, we have the so-called “Romeo and Juliet” law.
Under this legislation, a person accused of sexual activity with a 14- or 15-year-old, and who is less than five years older than their sexual partner, may be exempt from a sex crime charge.
