The Age of Consent
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-308 — 14 or 15, and a misdemeanor when the older person is 4 years older
A sexual act or vaginal intercourse with a person who is 14 or 15 years old, by a person at least 4 years older, is sexual offense in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Who handles this in Maryland: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maryland directory.
Younger victims, larger age gaps and repeat offenders are covered by other sections with heavier penalties, not set out here, as are registration and the consequences of a conviction. A charge, or the worry of one, is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-308 — Sexual offense in the fourth degree
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.