There are similar regulations in my state as well. Here it is called sexual contact. The age of consent for said sexual contact is 18. If one or both are minors you can be prosecuted. There is an added problem here, once convicted, you must register as a sexual offender as well. I as a citizen do not know if you were a teen with overactive hormones and low impulse control or an actual sexual predator. This is very frustrating. Most states have rules (which are still ridiculous) such as one individual cannot be more than two years older than the other.

NORMALLY there is only prosecution when there is proof of sexual contact, i.e. a pregnancy. Recently a friend’s son was “making out” with his girlfriend (he 15 and she 17) in a department store parking lot with security video. Initially when approached by law enforcement our friend said “go ahead and give him a ticket, maybe it’ll teach him something” until the police officer explained the gravity of the situation and how this will follow the boy for the rest of his life. The case is still ongoing and I am anxious to see what happens.

The only other case that I know of first-hand was that of a co-worker (18) and his girlfriend (17). Since she was the minor, she was concidered the victim and he was the only one punished.

However here, the law was enacted (I believe) to try to reduce teen pregnancy and reduce teen mother's on welfare. I agree with you though, there is a lot of time and money being wasted, this should be a parenting issue, not a government issue.