So it seems that the Colorado has decided that girls as young as 12 and boys as young as 14 as the age of consent for a "common law marriage", which Colorado recognizes. They will not look at the issue until next year so if you would like to snag yourself a young one to live with better hitch up the wagon.



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There is a surprising number of these antiquated statutes still on the books. Usually when the letter of the law allows marriage of a person under the age of majority, which is generally 18 years old, it requires the consent of the minor party's parents. Apparently, the 15-year-old in this case had her mother's blessings to marry a 38-year-old man. Most people will react to this story as you have, so I think the people of Colorado will demand a change in the statutes. These kinds of statutes remain on the books because nobody knows they are there until some whacky families let fly with some hillbilly nupt'als!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/farmerjohn.gif

The age of consent is  different from the age of majority. The age of consent varies a lot from state to state and country to country. The age of consent--when a person can legally consent to sexual relations--is usually 16,  (but may be as young as 12 in some countries), but most often stipulates the person upon reaching the age consent may not consent to sexual relations with a person who has reached the age of majority. Thus, a 17-year-old cannot be charged with statutory rape for engaging in consensual sex with a 15-year-old. Then there have been cases in some states where an 18-year-old, thus the age of majority, has won the right to have sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend, who is only at the age of consent. "Why was it alright last year when I was 17 and she was 15, but now it's a crime?" So then another exception gets carved into the statutes--and soon a youngster has to be Einstein to figure with whom he can and cannot grind his cookies! Confused yet? You can look this all up on the web...in some countries some sexual acts are allowed at some ages and not at others, but the same sex act allowable between consenting heterosexual partners of a certain age, may be forbidden between homesexual partners of the same age as said heterosexual partners....

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/nut.gif


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent

The Saudis made it simple. They don't care whether you're 14, 42, or 78, if you have sexual relations outside of wedlock, you shall be stoned to death!

That's just f*cking disgusting. 


12 year olds should not be having sex nor should they be getting married.

That's just f*cking disgusting. 


12 year olds should not be having sex nor should they be getting married.

Well, that's just a little judgmental, now isn't it?

Well, that's just a little judgmental, now isn't it?



You think 12 year olds should be having sex?  Getting married?



Just because there's grass on the field doesn't mean you can play ball.

This is quite disturbing, what is this common law crap anyway? I don't believe we allow that in Ohio thankfully.

You think 12 year olds should be having sex?  Getting married?



Just because there's grass on the field doesn't mean you can play ball.

Chill. I was being facetious.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/sqcold.gif

Chill. I was being facetious.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/sqcold.gif



Was I supposed to have known that?

This is quite disturbing, what is this common law crap anyway? I don't believe we allow that in Ohio thankfully.

"Common law" regarding marriage just means you can gain the legal status of marriage if you live together for X number of years. It varies from three years to seven years depending on the state. Ohio does not recognize common law marriage.

More broadly, "common law" refers to law formed by case-by-case judgments going back through antiquity (especially in regard to Britain and some former British colonies), as opposed to law enacted by legislative statutes. The U.S. has little actual "common law." As a constitutional republic, we like everything spelled out by the legislatures, with the courts interpreting the statutes according to state and federal constitutions. This is very controversial right now as the Bush Administration with the Congress under its thumb now trying to kill judicial power of which it does not approve. It's OK for Justice Thomas to rule against a liberal state law he does not like, but abominable for Justice Ginsburg to rule against a conservative state law she does not like!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_law



Was I supposed to have known that?

Let me answer a question with a question. Did you honestly think I said it was OK for 12 year olds to have sex or get married?
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Sick and wrong.  There isn't any way a 12 year old is emotionally ready for that kind of relationship.  Heck, they should still be playing with barbies.  That is still elementary school, for cripes sake.

Let me answer a question with a question. Did you honestly think I said it was OK for 12 year olds to have sex or get married?
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/09/smokin.gif




I don't know.  You have a tendency to talk down to me with your responses.

I don't know.  You have a tendency to talk down to me with your responses.

Uh...sorry.

There is a surprising number of these antiquated statutes still on the books. Usually when the letter of the law allows marriage of a person under the age of majority, which is generally 18 years old, it requires the consent of the minor party's parents. Apparently, the 15-year-old in this case had her mother's blessings to marry a 38-year-old man. Most people will react to this story as you have, so I think the people of Colorado will demand a change in the statutes. These kinds of statutes remain on the books because nobody knows they are there until some whacky families let fly with some hillbilly nupt'als!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/farmerjohn.gif

The age of consent is  different from the age of majority. The age of consent varies a lot from state to state and country to country. The age of consent--when a person can legally consent to sexual relations--is usually 16,  (but may be as young as 12 in some countries), but most often stipulates the person upon reaching the age consent may not consent to sexual relations with a person who has reached the age of majority. Thus, a 17-year-old cannot be charged with statutory rape for engaging in consensual sex with a 15-year-old. Then there have been cases in some states where an 18-year-old, thus the age of majority, has won the right to have sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend, who is only at the age of consent. "Why was it alright last year when I was 17 and she was 15, but now it's a crime?" So then another exception gets carved into the statutes--and soon a youngster has to be Einstein to figure with whom he can and cannot grind his cookies! Confused yet? You can look this all up on the web...in some countries some sexual acts are allowed at some ages and not at others, but the same sex act allowable between consenting heterosexual partners of a certain age, may be forbidden between homesexual partners of the same age as said heterosexual partners....

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/nut.gif


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent

The Saudis made it simple. They don't care whether you're 14, 42, or 78, if you have sexual relations outside of wedlock, you shall be stoned to death!


Heck, even in some STATES, the age of consent can be as low as 11 (I believe), but as you said, there are stipulations on age differences and such.  I think one has the law:  age of consent is 12, but until age 14, you can only have sex with someone <= 2 years older until you turn 16, then you can have sex with someone 16-21, but if you're 18, you can have sex with anyone 18 or older.  So, it's the same type of thing....a 12 year old and a 14 year old can have sex as long as the 14 year old doesn't turn 15 before the 12 year old turns 13.  Confused yet? :D

What I find odd about this case is that the court affirmed that it is illegal to formally have a marriage ceremony with the girl in question.

But since her relationship with the guy qualifies as an English Common Law marriage, the marriage itself could be valid.

The case got to the court in the first place because the the trial judge summarily assumed that the common law marriage could not be valid due to the statute on ceremonial marriage.  The Supreme Court decision simply tells the trial judge that he has to evaluate the validity of the common law marriage without regard to the statutory rule since it did not apply to common law.  The trial judge may yet be able to declare the common law marriage invalid for any number of reasons.

Sounds like a subtle loophole; I have to say that I applaud the court for sticking with the letter of the law and not legislating from the bench.  (However reprehensible the result might seem to some)

The Colorado Legislature I suspect will close the loophole.  In the meantime I doubt that we will see hoards of 12-year-olds running off with 45-year-old men.  :P

The thing about this law that bothers me is that it's not for the 15 year old that wants to marry his 14 year old girlfriend. 


It's for the 26 year old that wants to marry his 14 year old girlfriend.

The Colorado Legislature I suspect will close the loophole.  In the meantime I doubt that we will see hoards of 12-year-olds running off with 45-year-old men.  :P




12 years olds don't run off with 45 year old men.  45 year old men buy 12 year old girls from their parents, guardians, "adoption" agencies, etc.

Sounds like a subtle loophole; I have to say that I applaud the court for sticking with the letter of the law and not legislating from the bench.  (However reprehensible the result might seem to some)



The same situation here in Massachusetts in regards to gay marriage, although I do not find that reprehensible.  There was(and continues to be) more of a firestorm in regards to gay marriage than there is to this issue.  That is reprehensible.

12 years olds don't run off with 45 year old men.  45 year old men buy 12 year old girls from their parents, guardians, "adoption" agencies, etc.

I wonder if the traditions of bridal dowry and having the bride's family pay for the wedding had anything to do with preventing rich guys from swooping down and asking, "Hey, how much for the little girl?"
Ah, probably not.

It's pretty creepy to think there are parents in our culture who would sell their pubescent daughters as "child-brides" to old goats, but there are bound to be a few. Just like there are young women working strippers and porn stars whose careers are managed by their parents. Granted there are only a few, but a few is too many for me! How do these people live with themselves?

Maybe I'm the one who is too judgmental. Like, hey man, that's their trip!

... Are they even thinking? A 12-year old's body can NOT give birth to a healthy child.. in this day and age, we should know that.

But Hell, if it was good enough for the Ancient Egyptians..

... Are they even thinking? A 12-year old's body can NOT give birth to a healthy child..

Speaking strictly medically/physically, it is not impossible by any means. It depends somewhat on the individual. Pregnancy that early in pregnancy does carry much higher risks.
Socially and culturally it's a whole other matter!

Speaking strictly medically/physically, it is not impossible by any means.


Well, by 'can not give', I really meant 'shouldn't be giving'... I know it's possible.. but it's riskier physically and children are yet suited emotionally to being parents.

That's pretty disturbing  :o

That's pretty disturbing  :o

It's not the most disturbing thing to come out of Colorado of late. Not as disturbing as Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) who happens to be spouting his lunacy on my TV screen right now!

The loophole is old.  The legislature will deal with it next session.  If it had come up sooner, it would have been dealt with sooner....which shows no one has been using it.  Colorado has not run amok with old men hooking up with 12 year old girls and it won't start now.  It's not a new trend.  I live here. We've got extremists on the right (Colorado Springs) and left (Boulder), but generally, it's a reasonable place to live.

It's not a new trend.  I live here. We've got extremists on the right (Colorado Springs) and left (Boulder), but generally, it's a reasonable place to live.


As are most places.  :)