Florida’s Romeo and Juliet Law, The 4-Year Rule and Registry Relief
If you’ve heard the term “Romeo and Juliet law” in connection with Florida, you’re probably wondering what it actually does — and more importantly, whether it applies to your situation. Here’s the truth: it doesn’t make anything legal that wasn’t before. But it does offer a real path off the sex offender registry for certain people. Let’s break it down.
What Is Florida’s Romeo and Juliet Law?
Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law was enacted in 2007 during the state’s Legislative Session. It lives in Florida Statute § 943.04354. The law was created for one specific reason: to stop teenagers and young adults in consensual relationships from being branded as sex offenders for the rest of their lives.
Before 2007, any sexual contact between someone 18 or older and a minor — even consensual, even between a high school senior and a sophomore — automatically triggered sex offender registration upon conviction. The law recognized that wasn’t fair. So it created a mechanism to petition the court for removal from the sex offender registry.
Bottom line: it does not legalize sexual activity with a minor. It gives qualifying individuals the right to ask a court to take them off the registry.
What You Came Here to Know
The 4-Year Rule: How It Actually Works
The centerpiece of this law is the 4-year age gap rule. For the Romeo and Juliet law to apply, the older individual can be no more than 4 years (1,460 days) older than the younger person at the time of the offense.
If the older person is even one day past 1,460 days older, the law does not protect them. Courts count this precisely. There is no gray area.
The Victim Must Be at Least 14
The younger person in the relationship must have been at least 14 years old at the time of the sexual conduct. If the minor was 13 or younger, the Romeo and Juliet law cannot apply — regardless of the age gap.
Consent Is Required
The sexual activity must have been consensual. This is a critical element. If there is any allegation or evidence of force, coercion, or lack of consent, the law will not apply. The burden of proving consent falls on the person seeking registry relief.
No Prior Sex Crimes
The individual petitioning for removal must have no prior sex-related criminal charges — active or pending — with similar facts. A single prior sex offense disqualifies someone from using this law.
What Crimes Does It Cover?
Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law applies to a specific list of sex-related offenses under state law. These include charges under Florida Statutes related to sexual battery, lewd and lascivious acts, and other offenses where the qualifying age and consent criteria are met. It does not apply to crimes involving violence, force, or minors under 14.
How the Petition Process Works
This is where most people get confused. The Romeo and Juliet law does not automatically clear your record. You must file a motion or petition with the court. Here’s how it works step by step:
- You (or your attorney) file a motion or petition for removal of the sex offender registration requirement
- The petition must lay out all qualifying criteria: the ages of both parties, the date of the offense, proof of consent, and confirmation of no prior sex-related charges
- The court reviews the petition and the evidence
- If approved, the court orders your name removed from the Florida sex offender registry
You get one shot at this. If the court denies your petition, you must wait 25 years after completing all terms of your sentence before filing again. That’s not a typo — 25 years.
💡 Pro Tip If you were convicted before 2007 — when this law did not yet exist — you may still be eligible to petition for registry removal under § 943.04354. The law applies retroactively to qualifying offenders. This is something most general legal guides leave out entirely. Consult a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney to evaluate whether your specific conviction qualifies.
What You Must Know
Florida Also Has a Separate Age-Gap Provision
Most sites won’t tell you this, but Florida has two relevant protections. In addition to the Romeo and Juliet registry relief law, Florida Statute § 794.05 separately states that a person under 24 years old who has consensual sexual activity with someone 16 or 17 does not commit a crime at all. No charges. No registry.
The Romeo and Juliet law under § 943.04354 kicks in for situations that fall outside that narrow window — particularly when the minor is 14 or 15, or when the older party is 24 or older but still within the 4-year gap.
Ignorance of Age Is Not a Defense
Under Florida law, not knowing the minor’s actual age is not a valid legal defense to statutory rape charges. If someone misrepresented their age — even with a fake ID — that does not excuse the older party. It may, however, be considered by a judge as a mitigating factor during sentencing.
The Kowalski Case Showed How Florida Courts Handle Minor Protection
The Kowalski Lawsuit, How Appeals Court Reversed $208M Netflix ‘Take Care Of Maya’ Verdict demonstrated in October 2025 how seriously Florida courts weigh the protection of minors — even when civil rights and institutional accountability are at stake. Florida’s child protection framework is aggressive, and any case involving a minor will be scrutinized closely.
What Happens Without This Law
Without Romeo and Juliet protection, a conviction for sexual activity with a minor results in mandatory sex offender registration. In Florida, that registration can last 25 years or for life, depending on the offense classification. It affects where you can live, where you can work, and whether you can attend your own children’s school events.
Cases like the Warren Sapp Lawsuit, $20M Civil Rights Claim After Wrongful Arrest, Sheriff’s Office Admits Errors remind us that the legal system can impose devastating consequences when proper procedures are not followed — and that individuals have rights worth protecting at every stage.
What to Do Next
Step 1: Determine Whether the Criteria Apply
Review the specific facts: the ages of both individuals at the time of the offense, the exact number of days between their birthdays, whether the conduct was consensual, and whether there are any prior sex-related charges. Every single criteria must be met.
Step 2: Consult a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney
This is not the time for a general Google search. The petition process involves court filings, evidentiary standards, and strategic decisions. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether your case qualifies and prepare the strongest possible petition. Contact the Florida Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at floridabar.org for a referral.
Step 3: Check the Official Florida Statute
Review Florida Statute § 943.04354 directly at the Florida Legislature’s Online Sunshine website. This is the authoritative source for the current text of the law. For emergency custody or protection matters involving minors, understand that What Is An Ex Parte Hearing For Child Custody? Emergency Order provides important context on how Florida courts act quickly when children are involved.
Step 4: Act Within the Timeline
If you are currently on the sex offender registry and believe you qualify, do not wait. The petition process takes time, and delays do not pause registration consequences.
FAQs
What is Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law?
It is a 2007 Florida law (Statute § 943.04354) that allows qualifying individuals convicted of certain sex offenses involving a close-in-age minor to petition the court for removal from the sex offender registry. It does not make the underlying conduct legal.
What is the age difference allowed under Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law?
The older individual must be no more than 4 years (1,460 days) older than the younger person at the time of the offense. One day beyond that limit disqualifies the person.
Does Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law remove me from the sex offender registry?
Not automatically. You must file a motion or petition with the court. If the court approves it based on the evidence, your name will be removed. You only get one attempt unless you wait 25 years.
What crimes qualify for Romeo and Juliet law protection in Florida?
The law applies to specific sex-related offenses listed under Florida statutes where the age gap, consent, and minimum age criteria are all met. It does not cover offenses involving force or minors under 14.
Can Romeo and Juliet law help me avoid prosecution in Florida?
No. The law does not prevent charges or prosecution. It only provides a path to petition for removal from the sex offender registry after a conviction or adjudication.
What if I was convicted before 2007?
You may still be eligible to petition for registry removal. The law applies retroactively to qualifying individuals who were convicted before the statute was enacted.
What changed about Romeo and Juliet law in Florida in 2025–2026?
As of January 2026, the core structure of Florida Statute § 943.04354 remains unchanged. However, enforcement trends and judicial interpretation continue to evolve. Consult a current Florida attorney for the latest case-level developments.
This article provides general information about Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law and related criminal penalties as of January 2026. It is not legal advice. Romeo and Juliet law, criminal penalties, and legal consequences may change or be interpreted differently depending on jurisdiction, specific case facts, and evolving court decisions. AllAboutLawyer.com does not provide legal advice or personal recommendations. If you are facing charges or seeking registry relief under Florida law, please consult with a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney, contact the Florida Bar Association at floridabar.org, or review official resources at the Florida Legislature’s Online Sunshine website.
If you or someone you know is navigating sex offender registration in Florida, understanding the exact rules under § 943.04354 is the first and most important step. Explore more legal guides at AllAboutLawyer.com.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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