It can be hard to tell teenagers not to engage in sexual activities when they think they’re in love, but it can have severe consequences depending on their ages. If they are having sex and one of the participants is under age, the older one can be charged with statutory rape. A conviction of statutory rape in Indiana could result in going to prison, being fined, and having to register as a sex offender.
What is Statutory Rape?
Usually, statutory rape is defined as engaging in sex with someone who is under the age of consent. In Indiana, the adult, or the older teenager, can be charged with sexual misconduct, child seduction, or child molestation, depending on the circumstances. If you or your child is charged with one of these crimes, you need to conduct one of the sexual abuse attorneys in Indianapolis, IN for help.
Defenses for Statutory Rape
In some cases, there are good defenses for someone charged with statutory rape, especially if they are under the age of 21. One such defense used by sexual abuse attorneys is the “Romeo and Juliet” defense. It is usually used when the young people are close in age, and the sex was consensual. The age gap cannot be more than four years, the defendant must be under the age of 21, and the couple must be in an ongoing relationship.
Another defense used by sexual abuse attorneys is a mistake of age. In this defense, the defendant allegedly believed the victim to be at or over the age of consent and has evidence to support this belief, and the act would not be criminal if the victim was of age.
To learn more about these statutory rape charges and defenses, visit website. When these defenses are used, the defendant may be convicted of the lesser charge of sexual misconduct.
