Make certain exceptions to statutory rape

Many young men and women in our society have been and are convicted of statutory rape in cases where the minor may be only one to two years younger than the adult. With sixteen as the age of consent in most states, young adults are still being convicted of statutory rape and forced to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives. These young adults, who are involved in innocent and harmless romantic relationships with minors, are forced to either terminate their relations with their significant others or face criminal prosecution. This petition proposes to grant exceptions and possibly pardons to change the laws on statutory rape in certain situations where the minor is two and a half years or less younger than the adult and both parties consent to a relationship.