I've read statutory rape can no longer be declared when a minor reaches the age of consent. I've also read that depending on the age difference between the minor, who has reached the age of consent, and an adult, that the adult can still be tried for some sort of sexual offense because although reaching age of consent, the minor is still just a minor. So I've got a 16 year old friend and a 22 year old friend having sexual intercourse, are there legal grounds against this? If not, what age range, if any, constitutes the law stepping in when an minor who has reached age of consent is having sex with an adult.

When a minor reaches the age of consent, by law they can no longer become a victim of statutory rape. If a minor who has reached the age of consent has consensual sex with an adult, the adult is not violating the statutory rape law. Generally speaking, when adults engage in sexual activities with minors, there is potential for several other laws to be violated due to the nature of "adult" activities that may not be legal for minors; such as, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, providing controlled substances to minor's, contributing to a minor's delinquency, aiding a run away minor, etc. There are also parental rights to consider. A minor is still under the legal charge of the parent. A minor can not be bound by any legal contract without parental involvement and consent. A person may not interfere with a parents right to protect and control the minor child's activities within the laws of the state. Parents may, in some situations, petition the court of an order of protection against any person who is putting their minor child at risk or interfering with their parental rights. If such a petition is granted by the court, it becomes a court order making it illegal for the named party to contact the minor child. If the court order is violated, it could mean prosecution for contempt of court and possible jail time.