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Mesa Sexual Conduct with a Minor Lawyer

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sexual conduct with a minor lawyer in mesa

Sexual Conduct with a Minor Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Often referred to as statutory rape, sexual conduct with a minor by an adult is a serious crime. If you’ve been accused of engaging in any form of sexual activity with someone under the age of 18 and you’re 19 or older, you need to contact a Mesa sexual conduct with a minor lawyer right away.

Trust Grand Canyon Law Group

If you’re looking for a skilled Mesa sex crime lawyer, look no further than Grand Canyon Law Group. We have been practicing criminal defense law for years in Mesa. In that time, we’ve handled many sex crime cases. We can take on your sexual conduct with a minor case and provide you with a vigorous defense against these serious charges.

Why Hire a Sexual Conduct With a Minor Lawyer?

From 2019 to 2023, Arizona saw 1,477 sexual assault-related arrests within its borders, including sexual conduct with a minor charges. Charges were filed in 69% of these arrests. As of July 2025, over half of the arrests had led to convictions, although almost 60% of the convictions were not for sexual assault-related offenses.

You don’t have to use force or coercion to be charged with statutory rape. Even if your partner consented, you could still face serious consequences, which is why you need to hire a sexual conduct with a minor lawyer right away. Your lawyer can:

  • Explain the charges and their potential consequences
  • Help you gather and analyze evidence
  • Look for holes in the prosecution’s case
  • Interview witnesses
  • Construct an effective defense
  • Negotiate a plea deal, if appropriate
  • Provide courtroom representation at the Maricopa County Superior Court, if needed

Your Mesa sexual conduct with a minor attorney can provide you with advice, guidance, and representation every step of the way.

What Constitutes Sexual Conduct With a Minor?

Since the age of consent in Arizona is 18, no one under that age can legally give consent to engage in sexual activities. If you’re an adult engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, you’re probably breaking the law, even if they consent or initiate the activity.

There are exceptions to the rule. If you’re under the age of 19 and still in high school, you can be engaged in a relationship with someone who is less than two years younger than you without being charged with sexual conduct with a minor. That means an 18-year-old senior can date a 17-year-old junior without worrying about going to jail. It does not apply in situations where the older person was in a position of power over the younger one.

No Requirement of Force

Unlike most sex crimes in Mesa, there’s no requirement of force in sexual conduct with a minor cases. Statutory rape is a crime because it involves someone who is unable to consent. There’s no need for the state to prove that you used force or coercion, or even that you knew the minor’s age, to convict you of sexual conduct with a minor.

Penalties for Sexual Conduct With a Minor

The penalties for sexual conduct with a minor can be quite severe. The severity of the charges you face depends on the alleged victim’s age:

  • Sexual conduct with someone 12 or under is a Class 1 felony
  • Sexual conduct with someone ages 12 to 15 is a Class 2 felony
  • Sexual conduct with someone ages 15 to 17 is a Class 6 felony
  • Sexual conduct with someone ages 15 to 18 by someone over 21 is a Class 4 felony
  • Sexual conduct with someone ages 15 to 18 by a person in a position of authority over them is a Class 2 felony

FAQs

What Is the Standard of Proof for Sexual Conduct With a Minor?

The standard of proof for sexual conduct with a minor in Arizona requires that the prosecution prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. You don’t have to prove that you are innocent. Your Mesa sexual conduct with a minor attorney only needs to show that there are alternative explanations for the crime to what the prosecution is charging.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Sexual Conduct With a Minor in Arizona?

There is no statute of limitations for sexual conduct with a minor in Arizona if the alleged victim was under 15 at the time when the crime occurred. There is also no statute of limitations for any violent sex crime in Arizona, which means that if force was used against a minor aged 15 to 18, charges can be brought at any time.

What Are Arizona’s Romeo and Juliet Laws?

Arizona’s Romeo and Juliet laws are designed to protect certain young adults against prosecution for sexual conduct with a minor if they meet specific criteria. Only a very specific subset of young adults falls under the purview of this law. If you are over the age of 19 or no longer in high school, the state’s Romeo and Juliet laws do not apply.

Can You Go to Jail if a Minor Lies About Their Age?

You can go to jail if a minor lies about their age in Arizona. State law doesn’t recognize misrepresentation of age as a legal defense under most circumstances. Unless you can prove that you had reason to believe the person was over the age of consent, you may have difficulty avoiding prison time and sex offender registration on this basis alone.

Your Mesa Sexual Conduct With a Minor Lawyer

If you’ve been accused of unlawfully engaging in sexual activity with someone under the age of 18, you need to hire a Mesa sexual conduct with a minor lawyer right away. You can trust the team here at Grand Canyon Law Group to help. We’ve been practicing criminal defense for years. In that time, we’ve developed a keen understanding of sexual conduct with a minor laws. Let us leverage our knowledge to help with your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

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