Connecticut Statutory Rape Laws

In Connecticut, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone 16 or younger), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.

Statutory rape laws are premised on the assumption that minors are incapable of giving informed consent to sexual activities. Their incapacity is written into the statute—hence the term, "statutory" rape. The age of consent can vary among states, and some states differentiate between consensual sex between minors who are close in age (for example, two teenagers of the same age), as opposed to sex between a minor and a much older adult.

Though statutory rape does not require that the prosecutor prove an assault, it is still rape. Of course, rape that does involve force or an assault is illegal in Connecticut and prosecuted as forcible rape. Assaults of a sexual nature may also be charged under the state's assault and battery laws or child enticement and abuse laws.

Connecticut's Statutory Rape Laws and Potential Penalties

Statutory rape is prosecuted under Connecticut's sexual assault laws. Penalties depend on the ages of the defendant and victim, and the conduct that occurred, as described below.

Getting Legal Guidance
The information in this article provides an overview of the law relating to statutory rape. If you are trying to determine the legality of any kind of conduct, make sure to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney. The law is complex and changes regularly.

First degree sexual assault includes sexual intercourse (vaginal intercourse, oral or anal sex, or penetration, however slight) between a minor who is 12 or younger and a defendant who is more than two years older than the victim. This offense is a class A felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, at least ten (and up to 25) years in prison, or both. (Ct. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a, 53a-41, 53a-65, 53a-70 (2018).)

Second degree sexual assault includes sexual intercourse between a minor who is 13, 14, or 15 and a defendant who is more than three years older than the victim. This offense is a class B felony, punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, at least one year (and up to 20 years) in prison, or both. (Ct. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a, 53a-41, 53a-65, 53a-71 (2018).)

Fourth degree sexual assault includes sexual contact (without penetration) between a minor who is 12 or younger and a defendant who is more than two years older than the victim, or sexual contact between a minor who is 13, 14, or 15 and a defendant who is more than three years older than the victim. This offense is a class D felony, which is punishable by a fine of as much as $5,000, up to five years in prison, or both. (Ct. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a, 53a-41, 53a-65, 53a-73a (2018).)

Sex Offender Registration

State law requires that, in addition to the applicable fines and prison time, people convicted of sexual crimes (including certain instances of statutory rape) must register as sex offenders.

Defenses to a Statutory Rape Charge in Connecticut

Defendants charged with statutory rape have the usual defenses available to all criminal defendants, such as "Someone else committed this crime," or "The alleged conduct did not occur." One or more of the following defenses may also apply.

Marriage or Cohabitation

Connecticut has a marital exemption for statutory rape that allows married people or people who not married but are living together as a couple to have consensual sex even if their ages would prohibit it if they were not married or cohabitating. (Ct. Gen. Stat. § 53a-67 (2018).) This defense is a remnant of the marital rape exemption.

Minors are legally incapable of giving consent to having sex; so for example, if Jen, a 15-year-old willingly has sex with Tony, her 23-year-old boyfriend, Tony can be charged with rape, since Jen is not legally capable of giving consent in the first place.

But if Jen and Tony are married or cohabitating and living in Connecticut, Tony need not fear criminal charges for having consensual sex with Jen. This is because Connecticut has a marital exemption to the Connecticut statutory rape laws.

However, if Tony were to rape Jen (force her to have sex against her will), he would have no protection under the law even if the two are married.

The "Romeo and Juliet" Exception

Named after Shakespeare's young lovers, "Romeo and Juliet" exceptions are intended to prevent serious criminal charges against teenagers who engage in consensual sex with others close to their own age. In Connecticut, there is a Romeo and Juliet exemption for consensual sex between minors who are fewer than two or three years apart in age, depending on the age of the younger partner. (Ct. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-70, 53a-71, 53a-73 (2018).)

Mistake of Age

Defendants accused of statutory rape often claim that they had no reason to know that their partner was underage. They may argue that the victim herself represented that she was older than she was, and that a reasonable person would have believed her. But, as in most states, in Connecticut mistake of age is not a defense.

See a Lawyer

If you are facing a statutory rape charge, consider consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney who regularly practices in your area. The law can change at any time, and a lawyer can evaluate the strength of the prosecution's case against you and help develop any defenses that might apply to your case.

A lawyer can often negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge or a reduction in penalties (such as, for example, probation instead of prison time) and will know how prosecutors and judges typically handle cases like yours.

Help for Sexual Assault and Rape Survivors

If you are a victim of sexual assault or rape, contact Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) for online help and local resources.

Updated September 21, 2018