Romeo and Juliet Laws Colorado

Romeo and Juliet Laws in Colorado

In Colorado, the age of consent for sexual activity is 17 years old. This means any person 17 or older can legally consent to sex. However, Colorado also has limited Romeo and Juliet laws that provide close-in-age exemptions for certain consensual underage relationships.

Colorado’s Romeo and Juliet provisions offer some protections for young adults who engage in sexual activity with a minor. But the defenses have strict requirements and limitations.

Background of Romeo and Juliet Laws

Romeo and Juliet laws are named after Shakespeare’s tragic young lovers. They provide legal defenses for defendants charged with statutory rape for consensual acts with a minor.

The intent is to avoid criminalizing underage couples who willingly engage in sexual relationships. These laws recognize that adolescents often experiment sexually before turning 18.

Colorado passed its Romeo and Juliet provisions in 2016 to allow some flexibility in statutory rape cases.

Colorado’s Romeo and Juliet Provisions

Colorado has two laws that provide limited defenses for certain consensual underage sex:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

1. Sexual assault – Applies if the victim is 15 years old and the defendant is no more than 4 years older.
2. Unlawful sexual contact – Applies if the victim is 14-15 years old and the defendant is less than 10 years older.

However, these defenses only reduce the level of felony, they do not legalize the sexual activity.

Limits of Colorado’s Laws

Colorado’s Romeo and Juliet provisions have strict limits:

• No defense for victims under 14 years old
• 4 year maximum age gap for 15 year olds
• 10 year gap for 14-15 year olds
• Only reduces charges, doesn’t legalize acts

So while Colorado offers some protections, they are relatively narrow compared to many states.

Debate Over Romeo and Juliet Laws

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of Romeo and Juliet laws:

Supporters argue:

• Avoid unfairly punishing teen relationships
• Acknowledge reality that teens often have sex
• Allow flexibility for borderline cases

Critics argue:

• Arbitrary exceptions to clear age of consent
• Still allow older teens to exploit younger ones
• Difficult to determine if consent is voluntary

This complex issue involves weighing safety concerns against fairness. Reasonable people can debate where to draw the line.

Comparison to Neighboring States

Colorado’s Romeo and Juliet provisions offer less flexibility than some nearby states:

• New Mexico – 4 year age gap allowed for 13-16 year olds
• Arizona – 3 year gap permitted for 13-17 year olds
• Utah – 7 year gap allowed if minor is 16-17

So Colorado’s close-in-age exemptions are relatively limited regionally.

Practical Applications

In practice, Colorado’s laws give prosecutors some discretion over charges for underage consensual relationships. For example:

• A 15-year-old with an 18-year-old may face reduced charges
• A 14-year-old with a 23-year-old could still be prosecuted

But statutory rape charges are still possible regardless of ages. The provisions only allow charges to be reduced, not eliminated.

Public Policy Considerations

Some argue Colorado should expand its Romeo and Juliet laws to increase flexibility and avoid disproportionate penalties…

References:

[1] Does Colorado Have a “Romeo And Juliet” Law?

[2] Romeo and Juliet Law in Colorado

[3] Romeo & Juliet Law in Colorado

[4] Romeo And Juliet Law Colorado

[5] A Horse of A Different Color: English Composition and Rhetoric

[6] Nonfiction Writing Advice