¿Tiene California una ley Romeo y Julieta?

No hay leyes de Romeo y Julieta en California. Esto significa que siempre es violación estatutaria (PC 261.5) tener relaciones sexuales consensuales con alguien menor de 18 años, incluso si son cercanos en edad o menores de edad ellos mismos.¹

¿Qué son las leyes de Romeo y Julieta?

Las leyes de Romeo y Julieta dicen que no siempre es un crimen tener relaciones sexuales con un menor. El propósito es despenalizar el sexo adolescente al crear una exención de “cercanía en edad”, permitiendo que los jóvenes adultos normales exploren su sexualidad entre sí de manera consensuada.

Hay alrededor de 30 estados que tienen leyes de Romeo y Julieta. La ley de Texas establece que una persona:

• entre las edades de 14 y 17 años puede consentir,
• con alguien dentro de tres años de su edad,
• siempre y cuando la otra parte que consiente tenga al menos 14 años.²

Mientras tanto, Michigan permite el contacto sexual (pero no la penetración sexual) entre menores de al menos 13 años, y la diferencia de edad es de menos de cinco años.³

• el menor afirmó y parecía tener más de 18 años,
• el menor tenía una identificación falsa convincente que mostraba que tenía más de 18 años, y
• el menor estaba en un lugar donde tenía que tener 18 años o más (como un bar o lugar para adultos).

En resumen, si una persona razonable no tendría motivos para creer que el menor era menor de edad, el cargo de violación estatutaria debería ser desestimado.⁸

Evidencia común

Dependiendo de los detalles del cargo de violación estatutaria que estoy luchando, me baso en evidencia como:

• testimonio de testigos presenciales,
• coartadas,

(d) Any person 21 years of age or older who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is under 16 years of age is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for two, three, or four years.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an adult who engages in an act of sexual intercourse with a minor in violation of this section may be liable for civil penalties in the following amounts:

(A) An adult who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor less than two years younger than the adult is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(B) An adult who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at least two years younger than the adult is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2) The district attorney may bring actions to recover civil penalties pursuant to this subdivision. From the amounts collected for each case, an amount equal to the costs of pursuing the action shall be deposited with the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and the remainder shall be deposited in the Underage Pregnancy Prevention Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Amounts deposited in the Underage Pregnancy Prevention Fund may be used only for the purpose of preventing underage pregnancy upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(3) In addition to any punishment imposed under this section, the judge may assess a fine not to exceed seventy dollars ($70) against any person who violates this section with the proceeds of this fine to be used in accordance with Section 1463.23. The court shall, however, take into consideration the defendant’s ability to pay, and no defendant shall be denied probation because of his or her inability to pay the fine permitted under this subdivision.

(f) In prosecutions under Section 261, 262, 286, 288a, or 289, in which consent is at issue, “consent” shall be defined to mean positive cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will. The person must act freely and voluntarily and have knowledge of the nature of the act or transaction involved.

(g) In prosecutions under Section 261, 262, 286, 288a, or 289, in which consent is at issue, evidence that the victim suggested, requested, or otherwise communicated to the defendant that the defendant use a condom or other birth control device, without additional evidence of consent, is not sufficient to constitute consent.

(h) In prosecutions under Section 261, 262, 286, 288a, or 289, in which consent is at issue, evidence that the defendant and victim were married or had a dating relationship at the time of the commission of the act is not sufficient to constitute consent.

(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent prosecution under Section 261, 262, 286, 288a, or 289 or any other provision of law.

(j) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (l), a person convicted of an offense specified in subdivision (b) or (c) shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year, except that such person may instead be punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 if that person has one or more prior convictions for an offense specified in subdivision (b) or (c), or a prior conviction for an offense specified in subdivision (d) of Section 261.5, or a prior conviction for an offense specified in Section 264.1, or any combination thereof.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (l), a person convicted of an offense specified in subdivision (d) may be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

(k) Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall not dismiss any other charges or enhancements related to the sexual conduct of which a person is convicted pursuant to this section in lieu of imposing sentence pursuant to this section. A person convicted of an offense specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (d) may be granted probation only in unusual cases where the interests of justice would best be served if the person is granted probation, except that a defendant sentenced pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 may be granted probation in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 1203.066, if such person is not precluded from eligibility for that probation by Section 1203.066.

(l) (1) A person convicted of an offense specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 261, or subdivision (b) of Section 262, or subdivision (h) of Section 264.1, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288a, or subdivision (b) of Section 289, shall not be granted probation, parole, or a suspended sentence, nor shall the person stay thereof, nor shall the person be eligible for any other form of early release, nor shall the person serve the sentence on a basis that would permit the person’s release upon completion of one-third of the sentence, nor shall the person receive any other form of credit that would reduce the term of imprisonment required by law, including good conduct credit pursuant to Section 2933. In addition to any punishment prescribed by this section, a court may suspend, for not more than ten years, the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to Section 13201.5 of the Vehicle Code, except that, if the person convicted of an offense specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 261, or subdivision (b) of Section 262, or subdivision (h) of Section 264.1, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288a, or subdivision (b) of Section 289, is the owner of the vehicle, the court shall order the Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately suspend the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for the period prescribed by this section. If the court orders the privilege to operate be suspended, the court may also order the person to surrender the driver’s license to the court in accordance with Section 13550 of the Vehicle Code. Except in unusual cases in which the interests of justice would best be served by an alternate disposition, a finding that a person is guilty of an offense specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 261, or subdivision (b) of Section 262, or subdivision (h) of Section 264.1, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288a, or subdivision (b) of Section 289 shall result in a prohibition on that person’s future employment with any entity, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, that provides services to minors, and shall result in a prohibition on that person’s future volunteer work with any entity, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, that involves supervision of minors.

(2) The court shall order restitution in any case in which a minor is a victim of an offense specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 261, paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288a, or subdivision (b) of Section 289. In addition to any other penalty provided under this section, the court shall order any person who is convicted of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 261, or subdivision (b) of Section 262, or subdivision (h) of Section 264.1, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288a, or subdivision (b) of Section 289 to pay an additional fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be deposited in the Victim-Witness Assistance Fund to be available for appropriation to fund child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse victim counseling centers as provided in subdivision (f) of Section 13837. The court shall order restitution in any case in which a person is convicted of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 264.1. The court shall also order restitution in any case in which a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 288.3, if the conduct for which the defendant was convicted caused a loss to the victim, or in which a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 311.4, 311.10, 311.11, or 311.34, if the conduct for which the defendant was convicted is admitted or proved to have resulted in a loss to the victim. Restitution shall be ordered in accordance with Section 1202.4 and shall be ordered payable to the victim or victims, if the victim or victims are living, or to the victim’s or victims’ estate, if the victim or victims are deceased, and shall be distributed in accordance with subdivision (m) of Section 1202.4. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution in any case in which a person is convicted of a violation of Section 288.2, 288.4, or 289.6, if the conduct for which the defendant was convicted caused a loss to the victim, and shall order the defendant to pay the victim a fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The court shall also order restitution in any case in which a person is convicted of a violation of Section 288.2, 288.4, or 289.6, if the conduct for which the defendant was convicted is admitted or proved to have resulted in a loss to the victim, and shall order the defendant to pay the victim a fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime. The court shall also order restitution to the victim if the victim’s real or personal property was taken or damaged in the commission of the crime

(d) Cualquier persona de 21 años de edad o más que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales ilegales con un menor de 16 años de edad es culpable de un delito menor o un delito grave, y será castigado con prisión en una cárcel del condado no superior a un año, o con prisión de acuerdo con la subdivisión (h) de la Sección 1170 por dos, tres o cuatro años.

(e) (1) No obstante cualquier otra disposición de esta sección, un adulto que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales con un menor en violación de esta sección puede ser responsable de sanciones civiles en las siguientes cantidades:

(A) Un adulto que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales ilegales con un menor de dos años menor que el adulto es responsable de una multa civil que no exceda los dos mil dólares ($2,000).

(B) Un adulto que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales ilegales con un menor de al menos dos años menor que el adulto es responsable de una multa civil que no exceda los cinco mil dólares ($5,000).

(C) Un adulto que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales ilegales con un menor de al menos tres años menor que el adulto es responsable de una multa civil que no exceda los diez mil dólares ($10,000).

(D) Un adulto mayor de 21 años que participe en un acto de relaciones sexuales ilegales con un menor de 16 años de edad es responsable de una multa civil que no exceda los veinticinco mil dólares ($25,000).

(2) El fiscal de distrito puede presentar acciones para recuperar sanciones civiles de acuerdo con esta subdivisión. De las cantidades recaudadas para cada caso, una cantidad igual a los costos de perseguir la acción se depositará con el tesorero del condado en el que se dictó la sentencia, y el resto se depositará en el Fondo de Prevención del Embarazo en Menores, que se crea por la presente en el Tesoro del Estado. Las cantidades depositadas en el Fondo de Prevención del Embarazo en Menores solo pueden ser utilizadas con el propósito de prevenir el embarazo en menores con la aprobación de la Legislatura.

(3) Además de cualquier castigo impuesto bajo esta sección, el juez puede imponer una multa que no exceda los setenta dólares ($70) contra cualquier persona que viole esta sección, con los ingresos de esta multa para ser utilizados de acuerdo con la Sección 1463.23. Sin embargo, el tribunal tomará en consideración la capacidad del acusado para pagar, y ningún acusado será negado la libertad condicional debido a su incapacidad para pagar la multa permitida bajo esta subdivisión.
People v. Zeihm (Cal. App. 2d Dist. 1974), 40 Cal. App. 3d 1085. People v. Winters (Cal. App. 5th Dist. 1966), 242 Cal. App. 2d 711.

• Código Penal de Texas 22.011.
• Código Penal de Michigan 750.520e.
• Ver nota 1. Código de Familia 302.
• Ver nota 1.
• Igual.
• Ver nota 1. In re T.A.J. (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 1350.
• Ver nota 1.