Vermont Statutory Rape Laws

In Vermont, 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 Vermont and prosecuted as forcible rape. Assaults of a sexual nature may also be charged under the state's assault and battery or child enticement and abuse laws.

Vermont's Statutory Rape Laws and Potential Penalties

Statutory rape is prosecuted under Vermont's sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct 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.

Aggravated sexual assault includes a sexual act (oral, genital, or anal sex or penetration, however slight) between with a minor who is younger than 13 years old when the defendant was at least 18 years old. Penalties include a fine of up to $50,000, at least ten years (and up to life) in prison, or both. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 3253 (2018).)

Sexual assault includes a sexual act with a minor who is younger than 16 years old. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, up to 20 years in prison, or both. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. §§ 3251, 3252 (2018).)

Lewd or lascivious conduct with a child includes an act with a child younger than 16, undertaken for the purpose of arousing or satisfying sexual passion or desire. A first conviction is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, at least two (and up to 15) years in prison, or both. More serious fines and prison terms apply to second and subsequent convictions. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 2602 (2018).)

Sex Offender Registration

State law requires that, in addition to the applicable fines and prison time, people convicted of certain sexual crimes (including certain instances of statutory rape) must register as sex offenders. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. §§ 5401, 5402 (2018).)

Defenses to a Statutory Rape Charge in Vermont

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 apply.

Marriage

Vermont has a marital exemption for statutory rape that allows consensual sex between a married minor and that minor's spouse, even though their ages would prohibit it if they were not married. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. §§ 3251, 3252 (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, Tony need not fear criminal charges for having consensual sex with Jen. This is because Vermont has a marital exemption to the state's 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.

When Both Parties Are Minors: 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. Vermont's Romeo and Juliet exemption protects from prosecution certain minors who engage in consensual sex. The law applies to consensual sexual acts between a minor who is at least 15 and a defendant who is younger than 19. (13 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 3252 (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 Vermont even a reasonable mistake of age is not a defense to statutory rape. (State v. Searles, 159 Vt. 525 (1993).)

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 27, 2018