I live in California.  I am fully aware that intercourse with a minor under 18, and any lewd / lascivious activity with a minor under 14, are illegal -- and I have no intention of doing either one.  However, that leaves a lot of gray area.  I got curious and read some CA Penal Code.  It seems that oral sex with a minor under 18 is also unlawful.  However, I did not see any code specifically related to masturbation outside of Section 288, which only pertains to minors under 14.  I did not take the time to research case law or federal law.

Bottom line:  Is consensual masturbation with a 14 - 17 year-old legal in CA?

or for that matter, any state's sex crime statutes, it would seem that any activity which would have you in the presence of the genitals of a minor (or vice versa) would get you into enough hot water to be very concerned.

Don't do it.

(Obviously there are exceptions for medical personel where indicated.)

(Still not a lawyer)

Bottom line: no, it's a felony and a misdemeanor.

California Penal Code 288.3
(a)
(1) Every person, who motivated by an unnatural or an abnormal sexual interest in children, arranges a meeting with a minor or a person he or she believes to be a minor for the purpose of exposing his or her genitals or pubic or rectal area, having the child expose his or her genitals or pubic or rectal area, or engaging in lewd or lascivious behavior, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and the imprisonment.

(b) Every person described in (a)(1) who goes to the arranged meeting place at or about the arranged time shall be punished in the imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years.

-- Modified on 12/3/2006 5:01:37 PM

Okay, thanks guys.  Sounds like it's not worth it to me!!