Most states prosecute educators (teachers) for improper sexual contact with students under the state’s statutory rape laws—which are premised on the student being under the age of consent recognized by law, even if the student was a willing participant.
But some states have enacted specific statutes making it a crime—often a felony—for an educator to have sexual contact with a student—even if the student has reached the age of consent (17 years of age, for example).
Laws vary from state to state, and laws governing sexual contact between educators and students are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.
In Arizona, it is illegal for an educator to engage in sexual conduct with a minor or a student who is currently enrolled in or attending the educational institution where the educator works. This is covered under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1405, which addresses sexual conduct with a minor, and § 13-1405.01, which specifically prohibits sexual conduct between an educator and a student. The law applies regardless of the student's age or consent, meaning that even if the student is at or above the age of consent (which is 18 in Arizona), it is still a crime for an educator to have sexual contact with them. Violations of these statutes can result in serious felony charges, with penalties that may include imprisonment, fines, and the loss of the educator's certification or license.