Minnesota State Law Library

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Legal Topics: Adults Dating Minors

The Legislative Reference Library's resource guide, "Legal Age in Minnesota,", dissects the Minnesota Statutes on age in a variety of contexts. Toward the bottom of the page are links to the statutes on criminal sexual conduct. The Minnesota Statutes are also online. They can be searched by keyword or through the topic index. Sections can also be retrieved by number. For example, the definitions section for criminal sexual conduct is 609.341.

For a "plain English" explanation of the law, see the booklet, Legal Stuff. (Hennepin County Bar Association, 2001) KF337.J88 L43 2001, available in the Law Library and in some public libraries. The Minneapolis Police Department also provides a scaled-down explanation of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Definitions.

For information on other states, United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides Statutory Rape: A Guide to State Laws and Reporting Requirements.

Related Topics: Age of Majority.

DISCLAIMER:  As librarians and not lawyers, we can suggest resources but cannot give legal advice (such as which form to file), or legal opinions, (such as how a statute might apply to particular facts.)  To do so could be considered the unauthorized practice of law.  Even though we try to suggest materials that will be of help, further research is usually required to find a complete and correct answer.  For many questions, the best answer may be to consult an attorney.  For links to resources on finding an attorney, see http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/selfhelp.html#atty.

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