Because our country and its system of justice is wise enough to understand that there are always exceptions and we must take everything on a case by case basis if we truly want to do what is best. Exceptions are made with statutory rape cases too.
Because our country and its system of justice is wise enough to understand that there are always exceptions and we must take everything on a case by case basis if we truly want to do what is best. Exceptions are made with statutory rape cases too.
SP33Demon
Lifer
- Jun 22, 2001
- 27,928
- 143
- 106
You do have a good point. However, keep in mind that most of the cases where a 15 year old is charged as an adult is for something much, much more serious than having sex such as murder. Also, keep in mind that stat rape and being tried as an adult are governed by state law. However, when was the last time a stat rape case went to federal law that wasn't racial? When was the last time that a murder case was escalated from state-->federal? Case in point about severity of the crime.
Brovane
Diamond Member
- Dec 18, 2001
- 6,402
- 2,590
- 136
Really? The age of consent should be the same age that you can be charged as a adult as a crime. It seems like a lot more teenagers are charged as adults for crimes while they are minors than exceptions are made with statutory rape. It is to easy for a DA to just decide to charge a minor as a adult for a crime because he can look to be tough on crime. However making a exception for statutory rape just makes a DA look soft on crime. What do you think is going to happen?
Anubis
No Lifer
Brovane
Diamond Member
- Dec 18, 2001
- 6,402
- 2,590
- 136
Very true. However how serious is Sex? Why is the age of consent 18? Because you are not adult enough to understand the ramifications about Sex? However you are adult enough to understand the ramifications of your criminal activity? I like to make this argument because it really irks law and order conservatives. It seems like they are contradictory to me and the DA has way to much power to decide when a minor is charged as a adult. I think the law should be, the age of consent should be the same age as when you can be charged as adult for criminal activity. The inconsistency that I see is amazing with this.
Look...this is the bottom line right here. We need set the rules in stone. They must be clear. There must be a line drawn. I personally believe that 16 year olds (the most common minimum age to give consent) is perfectly fine. I also believe that 18 year olds should be responsible for understanding statutory rape laws and I expect them to obey them since they are given the legal privileges as adults.
Where exactly is the problem? What would you recommend changing that would some how make this world a better place? The law is perfectly fine.
SP33Demon
Lifer
- Jun 22, 2001
- 27,928
- 143
- 106
When boiled down to sex vs murder, I think we can all agree that murder is worse. There is a reason why exceptions are made for violent crimes, frankly because society doesn't want to take the risk that it will happen again. For example, if a puppy mauls a baby, what is the end result? It's destroyed, society won't take the risk on rehabilitation (in most cases). Same with murder, if a teen commits a heinous act of violence at say 16 y/o, do you want to be the judge to let them back on the streets in 2 years? No, which is why they need to be tried as an adult (so they can legally spend more time rehabbed in a prison vice juvey), and as a result I disagree that the DA has too much power to try someone as an adult. Mainly b/c the majority of these exceptions are for murder. If you can prove that arson/larceny/speeding constituted a large % of these cases, then you would have a point. However, that would be hard/impossible to find b/c that is not the case.
Sex is serious enough to warrant an 18 y/o age limit simply because there has to be a law for parents to protect their kids from predators. I don't even agree with "18" necessarily... but it's there to prosecute predators from exploiting your kids. Just as someone previously said, there are exceptions made to cases like this as well. Most of the time, the person will just get a slap on the wrist as a first time offender and I'm willing to bet 80% of the cases don't even make it to court b/c a) The parent has to know the age of the offender and many times the child will lie about it to protect them, b) Even if the parent DOES know, it's not an egregious offense (like 18 dating 16,17) and parent approves of the offender and can see they are not preying on their child (i.e. they're really "in love" and have a decent relationship).
Statutory rape laws are intended to protect those younger than the legally specified age of consent from sexual predators because they lack the knowledge. maturity and experience to understand the long and short term consequenses and hazards of sexual activity, including pregnancy, STD's and emotional trauma.
You can argue about what the exact age should be, but if you want to argue that children are sufficiently informed and mature enough to make such decisions, you probably should be talking to a shrink... preferably before you act on your assumptions.
It doesn't prevent it before the fact. It imposes penalties, after the fact, as a deterrent to adults who would take sexual advantage of vulnerable kids.
thraashman
Lifer
- Apr 10, 2000
- 11,112
- 1,587
- 126
I want to correct a few things in this thread.
First, 18 is not the legal age of consent. It's decided by each state individually within the US. The most common legal age of consent in the US is actually 16. The last two states to raise it up to 16 were Georgia and Hawaii, both had it at 14 until the mid 90's.
Second, it actually is possible for both underage people to be prosecuted for statutory rape if both are underage. Both are breaking the law by having sex with someone under the age of consent. It just never happens because neither side wants to press charges.
Most state laws have exceptions to the age of consent if you're married.
Most states have exceptions to the law where if one party is over the legal age and the other is not, then if they are within a certain age of eachother it is a misdemeanor instead of a felony. If your state has a legal age of consent of 16, and a 16 yr old has sex with a 15 yr old it is usually a misdemeanor.
The laws are in place to protect children. Sure a 14 year old might be having sex, but a 20 year old guy picking up on a 14 year old should have a certain level of responsibility by that age. It's not just morality, it's common sense.
First, 18 is not the legal age of consent. It's decided by each state individually within the US. The most common legal age of consent in the US is actually 16. The last two states to raise it up to 16 were Georgia and Hawaii, both had it at 14 until the mid 90's.
Second, it actually is possible for both underage people to be prosecuted for statutory rape if both are underage. Both are breaking the law by having sex with someone under the age of consent. It just never happens because neither side wants to press charges.
Most state laws have exceptions to the age of consent if you're married.
Most states have exceptions to the law where if one party is over the legal age and the other is not, then if they are within a certain age of eachother it is a misdemeanor instead of a felony. If your state has a legal age of consent of 16, and a 16 yr old has sex with a 15 yr old it is usually a misdemeanor.
The laws are in place to protect children. Sure a 14 year old might be having sex, but a 20 year old guy picking up on a 14 year old should have a certain level of responsibility by that age. It's not just morality, it's common sense.
Huh? The laws generally don't even apply to the minor, only to the adult. I certainly pretty much never see the minor prosecuted in the incidents I read about.
It is not a woman, it is a child and society says that banging young children is wrong just like it says murder is wrong, therefore it is illegal.
Granted, I don't think a 19yo should be brought up on charges for having sex with a 17yo but if you come mess with my young daughter I can promise you that justice will be served. Either by the legal system or by my shotgun and almost all fathers will say and do the exact same thing. Hell, I would even have a good chance of beating the murder charges or at least pleading down to an incredibly low sentence.
blackangst1
Lifer
- Feb 23, 2005
- 22,902
- 2,359
- 126
I wonder why the US has arbitrarily decided 18 is the AoC. Just because its our law doesnt mean its right. It isnt always the adult who seduces the teen. A 15 year old is certainly old enough and of mental capacity to seduce an adult. But, it is what it is, right or wrong.
Its OK for a teen girl to decide to get an abortion without parental consent though (in many states). I guess those states think under 18 is mature enough to make a desicion to force a medical vacuum up her pussy and suck out a living thing. *shrug* Our laws dont always make sense.
Its OK for a teen girl to decide to get an abortion without parental consent though (in many states). I guess those states think under 18 is mature enough to make a desicion to force a medical vacuum up her pussy and suck out a living thing. *shrug* Our laws dont always make sense.
Muse
Lifer
- Jul 11, 2001
- 40,943
- 10,236
- 136
Whether or not you trust her answer is it reason to put the 25 year old in jail? She still said yes, and it can be seen as your fault she didn't have the gumption to say no, assuming she should have.
I think the statutory rape laws are akin to some of the drug laws, especially concerning marijuana.
retrospooty
Platinum Member
- Apr 3, 2002
- 2,031
- 74
- 86
Its a law to protect minors... I would very much doubt that a 19 year old guy with a 17 year old girlfriend that had concentual sex would ever be prosecuted on it.
You're damned right it is, and I'd do it in a nanosecond and have a party to celebrate when the asshole was arrested.
In the eyes of the law, a 25 year old guy is considered an adult who is fully responsible for his actions. A 14 year old girl is in the eight or ninth grade in middle school.
blackangst1
Lifer
- Feb 23, 2005
- 22,902
- 2,359
- 126
And a teen isnt capable of knowingly seducing another person (any age) I guess. They were mostly"taken advantage of" *cough*
Interesting.
Currently 46.8% of all high school students report they have had sexual intercourse. The percentage of high school students who have had sex decreased 13.3% between 1991 and 2005 (54% to 46.8%).
Nationwide, 6.2% of high school students had had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13. Overall, the prevalence of having had sexual intercourse before age 13 was higher among male (8.8%) than female (3.7%) students.
Nationwide, 14.3% of high school students had had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life. Overall, the prevalence of having had sexual intercourse with four or more persons was higher among male (16.5%) than female (12.0%) students.
Among the 33.9% of currently sexually active high school students nationwide, 23.3% had drunk alcohol or used drugs before their last sexual intercourse.
And this: About one in ten girls who first has sex before age 15 describes it as involuntary.
Yeah theyre SOOOO innocent and naive :roll:
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