Rape Deserves a Life Sentence. [Archive]

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Larysa

04-24-2009, 05:49 PM

Dear Wacco Readers,

For those who have been raped and/or know someone who has AND are not in denial of the devastation an attempted or 'completed' rape causes, agree that rape is deserves a life sentence and sexual assault cases need to have a woman as the presiding judge.

Rape is underreported. When it is reported the judicial process of getting a conviction is a complete nightmare. Enough is enough!

Sonoma County needs to have zero tolerance for rape with a maximum term of life in prison. Eight years for a 'completed' rape and eleven years if the rape results in 'serious injuries' is archaic!

Any rape results in 'serious injuries' to the woman's body, mind and soul. Rape carries a life-sentence on some level for the victim. I hope people in Sonoma County are enlightened enough to get this. And those people who do not get this and feel sorry for the rapist should step aside in order for Sonoma County to become a safe zone free of sexual assault.

We can do all we can for peace and justice on our planet in order to stop war, but as long as even one child or woman is raped then we will never have peace and justice. Rape is welded into the patriarchal/military mind-set. ALL women and children are fair game to be raped whether there is a war or not.

Therefore, I invite all enlightened people to start working toward this goal. One suggestion is to please write letters to the District Attorney's office in support of the jury's verdict of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez as guilty of assault to commit a sex crime during a burglary, which carries a mandatory life term.

It is not one or the other, Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez is guilty of both! Just because he is the judge, Gary Medvigy does not get to pick one crime or the other. Calling a life-sentence 'cruel and unusual' minimizes rape which is far more cruel and unusual. By ignoring the burglary, the assault charge carries a maximum six-year prison term. So who thinks it OK to be woken up in their bedroom by some creepy naked guy yanking off their pajamas?

For those who have the courage and conviction to take a stand, please write letters of support to the District Attorney's office:

District Attorneys: Ms. Tashawn Sanders and Mr. Stephan Passalacqua

District Attorney's Office
600 Administrative Drive
Room #212-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Case:#DAR 566126 of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez

Thank you for your time!

Larysa

typewriter

04-24-2009, 09:57 PM

Larysa,

I commend you for taking the time to take action/post this. I both agree and disagree with what you have written here.

I find it troubling that you are linking a specific case that you are looking to stand out against with rape prosecution in general in Sonoma County. I absolutely agree that it is our responsibility as a community to be aware of judges' voting records as well as DA's track records. For judges it is more than a local matter as precedents are being set throughough CA nad the nation. In CA, it's judges WE vote for. It is my experience that many folks who take the time to vote (and thanks for doing this) stop short when it comes to judges --there's also a "rule" circulating that voting for incumbent judges is the "Acceptable" thing to do...and really it's like saying don't worry about doing your homework, voting for the incumbent president/party is the thing to do. Thanks but I'm no robot...

I agree that there need to be alternative sentences for sexual assault offenders --a blanket max life sentence policy doesn't accomplish anything from my point of view. I take sexual assault very (very) seriously. It is my opinion (though not necessarily a response directly to anything you stated) grouping all sexual assault/rape victims/survivors* into one category can be greatly disempowering.

Also, "for the record" I have serious issues with how rape convictions are handled. Rape is one of the areas where unsupported racial perpetrator IDs are upheld the most. And then again, yes, what is done to discredit the plaintiffs in these cases is vile. So my point here is that this is such a complex issue that I believe that we need to take action to put in place a system that appropriately takes the many failures of our "system" into account...and works toward reparation on a multitude of levels.

When you say "For those who have been raped and/or know someone who has AND are not in denial of the devastation an attempted or 'completed' rape causes, agree that rape is deserves a life sentence and sexual assault cases need to have a woman as the presiding judge" it bulldozes anyone who fails to accept your premise. Rape affects so many people (and not just women, by the way) from such a diversity that there has to be room for the possibility that there are many "right" answers of how to respond as a community/through our legal "system." (And I digress, but it should also be said that if people can work to make facing everyday a little less excruciating --even if in part by way of denial-- I don't think it's anyone's place to berate them for this unless it's violent/a serious health risk.)

Lastly, I want to be honest with you here that I find your statement about female judges residing on rape cases disturbing. It makes the men who are fighting as hard (and harder) than you invisible. It says that male judges who have an excellent track record are irrelevant. It lets men off the hook for taking responsibility for [insert list here...privilege...] because they've been categorically presumed guilty. And it reinforces many deeply, obviously sexist ideas (not to mention reinforces binary gender normatives which is a conversation for another day).

There are many female judges who are harder on female offenders and/or victims, especially in sexual assault cases. Due to a rash of internalized whathaveyou I'm sure, but it's a reality nonetheless.

I don't presume to know you at all, but given your statements here I wonder if you might feel more empowered (not instead of the work you're doing, but along with) learning/participating in restorative justice/restorative justice style alternatives to our current "system"...sexual assault is not generally an eligible offense for RJ but exposing oneself to the environment of restitution, community involvement, and reparation from all sides can have a huge impact in expanding ones outlook on "criminal justice" ....especially the "criminal" part and the "justice" part. Often we think we want a version of "justice" that doesn't exist, or does, but ends up failing us nonetheless.

just some thoughts.

M

*I have an issue with "survivor" being patronizing but many feel this way about "victim" so please give me the benefit of the doubt here that my intentions are good"

sheilab

04-24-2009, 10:19 PM

I watched about a 2 second clip from the memorial of Sandra Cantu and saw the same look across each face, of every woman there. It was a look of absolute fear. I was trying to think of what thread ran between each one of them, had they been raped? Had their daughter, mother, sister, cousin, or friend been raped? Then it hit me.... the thread was that they were all woman, and all vulnerable. That was the common thread! Women are living everyday in oppression because each of us know "it could happen"

I totally agree rape should be a life sentence, It is time to let the punishment fit the crime. Rape or Assault has been tolerated for way too long!

Dear Wacco Readers,

For those who have been raped and/or know someone who has AND are not in denial of the devastation an attempted or 'completed' rape causes, agree that rape is deserves a life sentence and sexual assault cases need to have a woman as the presiding judge.

Rape is underreported. When it is reported the judicial process of getting a conviction is a complete nightmare. Enough is enough!

Sonoma County needs to have zero tolerance for rape with a maximum term of life in prison. Eight years for a 'completed' rape and eleven years if the rape results in 'serious injuries' is archaic!

Any rape results in 'serious injuries' to the woman's body, mind and soul. Rape carries a life-sentence on some level for the victim. I hope people in Sonoma County are enlightened enough to get this. And those people who do not get this and feel sorry for the rapist should step aside in order for Sonoma County to become a safe zone free of sexual assault.

We can do all we can for peace and justice on our planet in order to stop war, but as long as even one child or woman is raped then we will never have peace and justice. Rape is welded into the patriarchal/military mind-set. ALL women and children are fair game to be raped whether there is a war or not.

Therefore, I invite all enlightened people to start working toward this goal. One suggestion is to please write letters to the District Attorney's office in support of the jury's verdict of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez as guilty of assault to commit a sex crime during a burglary, which carries a mandatory life term.

It is not one or the other, Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez is guilty of both! Just because he is the judge, Gary Medvigy does not get to pick one crime or the other. Calling a life-sentence 'cruel and unusual' minimizes rape which is far more cruel and unusual. By ignoring the burglary, the assault charge carries a maximum six-year prison term. So who thinks it OK to be woken up in their bedroom by some creepy naked guy yanking off their pajamas?

For those who have the courage and conviction to take a stand, please write letters of support to the District Attorney's office:

District Attorneys: Ms. Tashawn Sanders and Mr. Stephan Passalacqua

District Attorney's Office
600 Administrative Drive
Room #212-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Case:#DAR 566126 of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez

Thank you for your time!

Larysa

MsTerry

04-24-2009, 10:30 PM

Dear Wacco Readers,
Any rape results in 'serious injuries' to the woman's body, mind and soul.
Larysa

Oh Dear,

If you want to change the world, you shouldn't change the facts.
Are you aware of this?

In recent years, women have been convicted of raping or sexually assaulting men; for example, by the use of an object or when the man is below the statutory age of consent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent). Also, in recent years women have also been convicted of rape or sexual assault by procuring a man to rape another woman, and by being an accomplice to a rape.or this?

In Scotland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland), rape is a gender-specific crime; it can only be committed by males upon females. Oral, anal and male rape do not legally constitute rape, nor is digital penetration sufficient.
maybe this?
[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape#cite_note-4)
In Brazil, the definition of rape is even more restrictive. It is defined as non-consensual vaginal sex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_intercourse).[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape#cite_note-5) Therefore, unlike most of Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe) and the Americas, male rape, anal rape (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_sex), and oral rape (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_sex) are not considered to be rape. Instead, such an act is called a "violent attempt against someone's modesty" ("Atentado violento ao pudor").
and there is also this

Non statutory female on male rape

Non statutory female on male rape is widely, but incorrectly, considered impossible because male erectile response (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erection) is seen as voluntary, when, in fact, it is involuntary.[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-2)[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-involuntaryErection-3) Fear, anger, anxiety, and non-arousal have been cited as factors in being unable to obtain an erection.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-arousal-1)[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-4) Therefore, male victims of rape by females[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-5) often face social, political, and legal double standards (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_standard).[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-6) Though studies show otherwise,[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-7) female rapists are usually seen as less culpable than male rapists by the courts due to these misunderstandings. Those who do not understand the law in many jurisdictions fail to realize that the forcible penetration of a male by a foreign object or a digit also constitutes the same crime. Since rape by females is much less well known than male-female rape, male victims of female rapists often find little support from rape crisis centers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_crisis_center).
Due to these reasons, and the difficulties and comparative rarity of female on male rape compared to standard or statutory rape, it is likely being substantially under-reported in the United States (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) and other developed countries.[9] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_rape#cite_note-malesrapingfemales-8)

but I think you might not be aware of this

There were approximately 4,890 rapes of males age 12 and over in the United States in 1994. The rate for rapes of males was .8 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997).
In 1985, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics reported in The Crime of Rape that there were 123,000 male rapes over a ten-year period. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1985).

https://www.nycagainstrape.org/survivors_factsheet_38.html

babaruss

04-24-2009, 10:39 PM

True justice comes when all factors are considered.
Punishment should never play a part that decision making process.
The idea to punish anyone for whatever their failing, is an idea which is truly archaic !!
True justice is when all parties involved (and society as a whole) receives the benefit of healing, and change.
Anything less than that is as lopsided as the life sentence demanded by the jurors.
A truly enlightened person considers all sides of an issue.
If it is deemed that a certain perpetrator cannot be changed...if the perpetrator truly is an established menace to society (and to himself) then perhaps a life sentence away from society may be the best answer.

Little boys (young men as well) also get raped, abused, and while those numbers (boys versus girls) are not equal, I can assure you they too are under reported.
I can also assure you such an experience is both devastating, and life damaging.
The only places I can agree with you are:
The current system of justice is seriously flawed.
The laws currently on the books are indeed archaic.

Wanting a more wholistic approach for treating human beings who harm other human beings.. as well as for the victims, cannot now, or ever be considered as being in denial.

Emotion filled, vengeful, responses by certain segments of our society (to violent acts) can easily be seen to acts of violence as well.
Have you never heard the saying..."light not heat" ?
Zero tolerance does not take into consideration those unending mitigating factors which arise when human beings fail one another.
That is why we have judges.
The day outraged, emotionally charged, righteously indignant, people can change laws to suit their individual beliefs, will be the day we go backwards in our quest for justice.
babaruss

Dear Wacco Readers,

For those who have been raped and/or know someone who has AND are not in denial of the devastation an attempted or 'completed' rape causes, agree that rape is deserves a life sentence and sexual assault cases need to have a woman as the presiding judge.

Rape is underreported. When it is reported the judicial process of getting a conviction is a complete nightmare. Enough is enough!

Sonoma County needs to have zero tolerance for rape with a maximum term of life in prison. Eight years for a 'completed' rape and eleven years if the rape results in 'serious injuries' is archaic!

Any rape results in 'serious injuries' to the woman's body, mind and soul. Rape carries a life-sentence on some level for the victim. I hope people in Sonoma County are enlightened enough to get this. And those people who do not get this and feel sorry for the rapist should step aside in order for Sonoma County to become a safe zone free of sexual assault.

We can do all we can for peace and justice on our planet in order to stop war, but as long as even one child or woman is raped then we will never have peace and justice. Rape is welded into the patriarchal/military mind-set. ALL women and children are fair game to be raped whether there is a war or not.

Therefore, I invite all enlightened people to start working toward this goal. One suggestion is to please write letters to the District Attorney's office in support of the jury's verdict of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez as guilty of assault to commit a sex crime during a burglary, which carries a mandatory life term.

It is not one or the other, Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez is guilty of both! Just because he is the judge, Gary Medvigy does not get to pick one crime or the other. Calling a life-sentence 'cruel and unusual' minimizes rape which is far more cruel and unusual. By ignoring the burglary, the assault charge carries a maximum six-year prison term. So who thinks it OK to be woken up in their bedroom by some creepy naked guy yanking off their pajamas?

For those who have the courage and conviction to take a stand, please write letters of support to the District Attorney's office:

District Attorneys: Ms. Tashawn Sanders and Mr. Stephan Passalacqua

District Attorney's Office
600 Administrative Drive
Room #212-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Case:#DAR 566126 of Jaime Hernandez Gonzalez

Thank you for your time!

Larysa

Larysa

04-25-2009, 03:59 PM

Dear Ms. Typewriter,

Thank you for your response and what action(s) are you willing to take in order to stand up against rape?

I am sorry that you are 'troubled' by my caring about the outcome of a specific case. This case is pivotal for Sonoma County. The judge is waffling back and forth. Last I heard he is now ignoring the burglary charge. So much for protecting the sanctity of Sonoma County's residences!

Larysa

Larysa,

I commend you for taking the time to take action/post this. I both agree and disagree with what you have written here.

I find it troubling that you are linking a specific case that you are looking to stand out against with rape prosecution in general in Sonoma County. I absolutely agree that it is our responsibility as a community to be aware of judges' voting records as well as DA's track records. For judges it is more than a local matter as precedents are being set throughough CA nad the nation. In CA, it's judges WE vote for. It is my experience that many folks who take the time to vote (and thanks for doing this) stop short when it comes to judges --there's also a "rule" circulating that voting for incumbent judges is the "Acceptable" thing to do...and really it's like saying don't worry about doing your homework, voting for the incumbent president/party is the thing to do. Thanks but I'm no robot...

I agree that there need to be alternative sentences for sexual assault offenders --a blanket max life sentence policy doesn't accomplish anything from my point of view. I take sexual assault very (very) seriously. It is my opinion (though not necessarily a response directly to anything you stated) grouping all sexual assault/rape victims/survivors* into one category can be greatly disempowering.

Also, "for the record" I have serious issues with how rape convictions are handled. Rape is one of the areas where unsupported racial perpetrator IDs are upheld the most. And then again, yes, what is done to discredit the plaintiffs in these cases is vile. So my point here is that this is such a complex issue that I believe that we need to take action to put in place a system that appropriately takes the many failures of our "system" into account...and works toward reparation on a multitude of levels.

When you say "For those who have been raped and/or know someone who has AND are not in denial of the devastation an attempted or 'completed' rape causes, agree that rape is deserves a life sentence and sexual assault cases need to have a woman as the presiding judge" it bulldozes anyone who fails to accept your premise. Rape affects so many people (and not just women, by the way) from such a diversity that there has to be room for the possibility that there are many "right" answers of how to respond as a community/through our legal "system." (And I digress, but it should also be said that if people can work to make facing everyday a little less excruciating --even if in part by way of denial-- I don't think it's anyone's place to berate them for this unless it's violent/a serious health risk.)

Lastly, I want to be honest with you here that I find your statement about female judges residing on rape cases disturbing. It makes the men who are fighting as hard (and harder) than you invisible. It says that male judges who have an excellent track record are irrelevant. It lets men off the hook for taking responsibility for [insert list here...privilege...] because they've been categorically presumed guilty. And it reinforces many deeply, obviously sexist ideas (not to mention reinforces binary gender normatives which is a conversation for another day).

There are many female judges who are harder on female offenders and/or victims, especially in sexual assault cases. Due to a rash of internalized whathaveyou I'm sure, but it's a reality nonetheless.

I don't presume to know you at all, but given your statements here I wonder if you might feel more empowered (not instead of the work you're doing, but along with) learning/participating in restorative justice/restorative justice style alternatives to our current "system"...sexual assault is not generally an eligible offense for RJ but exposing oneself to the environment of restitution, community involvement, and reparation from all sides can have a huge impact in expanding ones outlook on "criminal justice" ....especially the "criminal" part and the "justice" part. Often we think we want a version of "justice" that doesn't exist, or does, but ends up failing us nonetheless.

just some thoughts.

M

*I have an issue with "survivor" being patronizing but many feel this way about "victim" so please give me the benefit of the doubt here that my intentions are good"

Larysa

04-25-2009, 04:07 PM

Thank you, Sheila!

Yes, women and girls are all vulnerable their whole lives. Since men and boys are also raped, it is time for ALL of us to take a stand to abolish rape starting here in Sonoma County.

Thanks again, Larysa

I watched about a 2 second clip from the memorial of Sandra Cantu and saw the same look across each face, of every woman there. It was a look of absolute fear. I was trying to think of what thread ran between each one of them, had they been raped? Had their daughter, mother, sister, cousin, or friend been raped? Then it hit me.... the thread was that they were all woman, and all vulnerable. That was the common thread! Women are living everyday in oppression because each of us know "it could happen"

I totally agree rape should be a life sentence, It is time to let the punishment fit the crime. Rape or Assault has been tolerated for way too long!

babaruss

04-25-2009, 06:34 PM

It should not take too much effort for you to line up frightened, vulnerable women, and convince them to co-sign your belief that rapists deserve life sentences.
The more you focus on fearful things the greater fear becomes.
The greater the fear becomes...the more irrational are the actions taken to assuage that fear. A quick flash back to the very unnecessary Iraq war co-signed by a frightened public who believed them responsible for horrific acts here. Hundreds of thousands of innocents killed there countless more mained or damaged for life...and all because fear led the way.

Native American teaching goes 'you can always get a new house... you cannot get a new human' which means all human life is valuable and worth saving (or at least deserving of a long honest try at it).
This is not a bleeding heart approach on my part here...just a clear knowing that what I do, if done in anger, or in a vengeful way, is taking away from society.

You have not the slightest clue what shaped the person you want sent away for life. It saddens me that everyone wishes a quick, thoughtless, and rage filled solution to what is a difficult, ugly, damaging problem.

Your desire to abolish rape in this county is admirable, and certainly should be pursued. The means by which you wish to abolish rape is not going to do anything at all like you imagine it will.
The core belief held by far too many men is that women are sex objects. Sex is something they have to have...lie to get it...cheat to get more than their share (married men ?).... do whatever it takes to get 'some'.
The very idea there is 'something to get' is what needs abolishing.

The way many men perceive women is what must be changed.
When that perception changes, sexual abuse of women will drop drastically.
Damned sure isn't going to happen in my generation, but if serious and intelligent programs were put in place starting with earliest childhood then much of what is happening to women and girls today will fade away in a few generations.
Raising boys from childhood to value women as equals is critical if one wishes to achieve an assault free world.

Men sent to jail, or prison, who have been convicted of violent crimes should spend the whole of their time being re-educated. Make failure to comply with that re-education order equal to no privileges, no parole, no visits etc.
Force jails and prison authorities to develop serious programs with in their systems to deal with the violence and sexual disorders of their inmates.
Most prison programs are sham programs offering nothing but the same repackaged programs decade after decade.

Insist that prisons and jails ban access of inmates to pornographic magazines.
What do you think will happen to the mind of an inmate after 20 years of masturbating to pictures of women doing gross, and demeaning, sexual acts.
These items can be either sent to inmates from the outside, or purchased at prison/jail stores... in many institutions.

A life sentence as you demanded for Hernandez would not have been concrete.
With the possibility of parole in 7 years...possibly a very angry and potentially more violent Hernandez will released into society...what then ?

Short term gratification is not always confined to sex...it applies as well to quick fix solutions like you would see put in place.

There are a few semi valid programs in prison systems now...Victim Offender Reconciliation is one such nationally recognized organization. Groups are held allowing victims of a crime to confront prisoners, discuss how it felt to be on the receiving end of a particular crime.
Inmates who participate in this program are volunteers they are not ordered to do attend.
That type of program is a tiny beginning, but one which rarely goes very far in bringing about healing for either victim, nor offender.
Most of the volunteer inmates who go to such programs are hoping to get additional 'proofs' of their commitment to change to tucked away neatly in their files to be used next parole hearing. The motive for program participation in such programs is freedom from incarceration rather than freedom from an ugly way of being.
Sorry to have dwelt on prison aspect so long...just trying to give you some insights as to how little the State and Government institutions care about rehabilitating inmates prior to sending them back to us.
Caring can begin as you stated...with a rape free community. A rape free community is more than heavy sentencing, and another cute but stupid sign posted out side the city limits.
babaruss

Thank you, Sheila!

Yes, women and girls are all vulnerable their whole lives. Since men and boys are also raped, it is time for ALL of us to take a stand to abolish rape starting here in Sonoma County.

Thanks again, Larysa

typewriter

04-25-2009, 06:46 PM

I have no issue with you caring about the outcome of a specific case. What I find troubling is that you are using this one specific case to incite generalized malice with regard to the Sonoma County court (and regarding rape verdicts everywhere).

In any case, I've seen your responses to others in different posts and it is clear that you're not open to anyone's opinion who does not subscribe to a [your] specific agenda.

I have been involved in criminal justice reform activism for a long time including restorative justice practices, as I've mentioned (though I have a feeling you might not have gotten that far), instituting diversion programs in DA's offices, and as a grassroots strategist for racial/economic justice & political initiatives.

My "credentials" aside, I'm not accountable to you. You're asking for help and then not only qualifying in what form that help can come but taking it one step further to go after anyone who disagrees with you in any way. That's not activism. It's an agenda (and it seems a potentially hostile one).

We agree on what's most important: rape and sexual assault are vile crimes; we need to change the system that handles how perpetrators of these crimes are "punished"

If you can't get on board with that, it's clear to me that taking action in a healthy, peaceful way is not what you want. My suspicion is that you feel helpless and want to get to an empowered place where you can take initiative but you don't quite know how to get there without all the vengeance and anger.

Since my time is of a premium I won't be responding to any more deconstructive posts in this conversion.

Thanks.

I wish you all the best. Stay safe.

Dear Ms. Typewriter,

Thank you for your response and what action(s) are you willing to take in order to stand up against rape?

I am sorry that you are 'troubled' by my caring about the outcome of a specific case. This case is pivotal for Sonoma County. The judge is waffling back and forth. Last I heard he is now ignoring the burglary charge. So much for protecting the sanctity of Sonoma County's residences!

Larysa

Sara S

04-27-2009, 08:08 AM

There have been some very knowledgeable and thoughtful replies to this, but here's one that perhaps we forgot: should a kid of 18 who has sex with his consenting 17-year-old girlfriend and gets convicted of (statutory) rape be sentenced to life? I don't think so....

Thank you, Sheila!

Yes, women and girls are all vulnerable their whole lives. Since men and boys are also raped, it is time for ALL of us to take a stand to abolish rape starting here in Sonoma County.

Thanks again, Larysa

kpage9

04-27-2009, 07:45 PM

He won't. Awful lot of criss-crossing negatives in the following sentence, but the girlfriend would have to be under 16.

No person who is eighteen years of age or older shall engage in sexual conduct with another, who is not the spouse of the offender, when the offender knows the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, or the offender is reckless in that regard.

There have been some very knowledgeable and thoughtful replies to this, but here's one that perhaps we forgot: should a kid of 18 who has sex with his consenting 17-year-old girlfriend and gets convicted of (statutory) rape be sentenced to life? I don't think so....