This is a matter of state law in the US, isn’t it? In most states the age of consent is at least 16, but I believe that there are some states in which consent can be given by a person at least 14 but under 16, as long at the other person is not 18 or older. Googling this, I found it to be the case in Indiana, for instance: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar42/ch4.html.

 

From: Vladimir Nabokov Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU] On Behalf Of Nabokv-L From: james studdard <studlaw2000@yahoo.com>

Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 05:55:38 -0700 (PDT)

 

To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>

 

To SKB:

     I have not seen the Times legal report either.  However, accepting your narrative and juxtaposing it with USA law I can assure you (after 38 years of practicing criminal law) that a child under the age of (in this country) 16 cannot, absolutely, positively, end of story, give consent to sexual goings on.