Romeo and Juliet Laws New Mexico
Contents
Romeo and Juliet Laws in New Mexico – Do They Protect Teens or Endanger Them?
Santa Fe, NM – When an 18-year-old high school senior dates a 15-year-old sophomore, should this be a crime? To avoid criminalizing teen relationships, many states have passed so-called “Romeo and Juliet” laws. These provide defenses against statutory rape charges if the participants are close in age. But some argue New Mexico’s laws go too far in decriminalizing teen sex. Do they do more harm than good?
What Are Romeo and Juliet Laws?
Romeo and Juliet laws are meant to provide defenses or reduced penalties for statutory rape in cases where the participants are close in age. The intent is to avoid punishing consensual teen relationships as harshly as adult molestation of children.
New Mexico’s Romeo and Juliet Provisions
New Mexico doesn’t have one single Romeo and Juliet law. Rather, protections are built into the overall statutory rape laws through age thresholds and mitigated punishments. For example:
- Sex with a minor 13-16 is a felony, unless the offender is 18-19 years old – then it’s a misdemeanor.
- Sex with a minor 13-18 is a felony, unless the offender is at least 13 and no more than 4 years older.
So while sex with minors is illegal, there are graduated penalties if the ages are close.
Debating Romeo and Juliet Laws
Supporters argue the laws strike a fair balance. They point out:
- Teen relationships shouldn’t be overcriminalized.
- The laws focus penalties on true predators.
- They prevent harsh punishments for normal teen exploration.
- Older teens likely have similar maturity as partners.
However, opponents believe the laws are misguided. Their concerns include:
- Any statutory rape exception endangers minors.
- Even small age gaps can be manipulative.
- Maturity differences matter more than raw age.
- It sends a message that teen sex is okay.
Examining Specific Cases
Looking at how the laws have played out highlights the complexities. For instance:
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.
- A 19-year-old was convicted for sex with a 15-year-old despite claiming a Romeo and Juliet defense.
- But an 18-year-old was acquitted for sex with a 16-year-old since they were “peers.”
These mixed results show judges still have discretion on whether to apply Romeo and Juliet protections.
Options for Reform
If policymakers re-examined the laws, here are some possible changes:
- Narrow age gaps to 1-2 years only.
- Expand age gaps to 6-10 years.
- Eliminate all exceptions and prosecute statutory rape uniformly.
- Raise the general age of consent from 17 to 18.
Each approach has trade-offs regarding protecting minors versus fairness to young offenders.
Conclusion
New Mexico’s Romeo and Juliet laws try to strike a balance but remain controversial. Perhaps the debate reflects larger social ambivalence about teen sex. But lawmakers have an obligation to continually reassess these laws and their impacts on youth.