18 Year Old Girl Facing Felony for Dating 15 Year Old Girl

[Evraim]

Fuck that shit. My proposal:

Age of Consent: 18

Anyone having sex below that age shall be charged with statutory rape. That's the law here in Texas.

http://www.texascriminaltriallawyer.org ... istration/

Actually, no it isn't. It's roughly similar to Florida's law (who cares about the law though, they're gay).

Texas, contrary to popular opinion, does not support marriage equality. Calling our laws gay is a jest, a horrible, horrible jest. That said, I would not object to a gay constitution.

[Cosara]

Why do people keep saying this?

I question it. I think sending an 18 y.o. male to jail for having consensual sex with a 15 y.o. female is incredibly fucked up.

It's not just the jail, it's the life time social stigma. Being on the sex offender registry is worse than being a felon, if you want to get employment.

The government is fucking this person's life up and destroying human capital for no good reason. It's ridiculous.

If committing rape is "no good reason" then what the fuck is a good reason?

[Dusk_Kittens]

Can a fifteen year old philosophically consent to sexual intercourse?

I would argue that they lack the rational faculties to wholly comprehend the consequences of their actions or to exercise full autonomy.

Isn't sex education supposed to inform them of the possible consequences?

[Unified states of North China]

Haha. Felony for such a stupid crime. Worth it for being incorrect!

[Zweite Alaje]

She broke the law, what do you expect? The only reason this is really an issue is because it was a homosexual relationship.

Oh look, another homophobe stating the tired and silly claim that nobody cares about the stupidity of poorly-designed sex offender laws unless it's [insert minority group here].

Hath isn't a homophobe, neither am I.

This isn't about their orientation, it's about them breaking law, a good law at that.

[Page]

This isn't about their orientation, it's about them breaking law, a good law at that.

Why is it a good law?

[Lemanrussland]

It's not just the jail, it's the life time social stigma. Being on the sex offender registry is worse than being a felon, if you want to get employment.

The government is fucking this person's life up and destroying human capital for no good reason. It's ridiculous.

If committing rape is "no good reason" then what the fuck is a good reason?

It's not rape, it's statutory rape between two people who are quite close in age. Teenagers having sexual relationships isn't some freak occurrence, it's quite common. The 18 year old isn't some older person preying on the other.

There's a reason we have Romeo and Juliet laws, no one seems to understand them, or just don't care about them, however.

[Cosara]

Fuck that shit. My proposal:

Age of Consent: 18

Anyone having sex below that age shall be charged with statutory rape. That's the law here in Texas.

http://www.texascriminaltriallawyer.org ... istration/

Actually, no it isn't. It's roughly similar to Florida's law (who cares about the law though, they're gay).

You learn something new every day.

[Resora]

Oh look, another homophobe stating the tired and silly claim that nobody cares about the stupidity of poorly-designed sex offender laws unless it's [insert minority group here].

Hath isn't a homophobe, neither am I.

He suffers from delusions of straight persecution. Odds are sky-high he's a homophobe.

[Cosara]

If committing rape is "no good reason" then what the fuck is a good reason?

It's not rape, it's statutory rape between two people who are quite close in age. Teenagers having sexual relationships isn't some freak occurrence, it's quite common. The 18 year old isn't some older person preying on the other.

There's a reason we have Romeo and Juliet laws, no one seems to understand them, or just don't care about them, however.

In Romeo and Juliet laws, if one reaches the age of consent while the other hasn't, the one who has reached the age can be charged with statutory rape.

[Mahlen]

Under Florida’s “Romeo and Juliet” Law, an “offender” can petition the court to remove the requirement to register as a sex offender if the “victim in the case” is between 14 and 17 years old, “a willing participant in the sexual activity and no more than four years younger than the offender,” but historically the law has only been applied in cases between heterosexuals.

Didn't feel like reading through the whole thread, but did anyone read that last paragraph? She can totally petition the court to not register as an SO.
The "victim" is 15.
The "offender" is 18.
Only 3 years difference (not even, since the "offender" just turned 18)... I'd say go for it!

[Cosara]

Hath isn't a homophobe, neither am I.

He suffers from delusions of straight persecution. Odds are sky-high he's a homophobe.

Straight Persecution? Bout as real as white genocide.

[Hathradic States]

She broke the law, what do you expect? The only reason this is really an issue is because it was a homosexual relationship.

Oh look, another homophobe stating the tired and silly claim that nobody cares about the stupidity of poorly-designed sex offender laws unless it's [insert minority group here].

One, I am not a fucking homophobe. Two, this kind of shit happens all the time doesn't make the news.

[Resora]

He suffers from delusions of straight persecution. Odds are sky-high he's a homophobe.

Straight Persecution? Bout as real as white genocide.

For once we agree.

[Lemanrussland]

It's not rape, it's statutory rape between two people who are quite close in age. Teenagers having sexual relationships isn't some freak occurrence, it's quite common. The 18 year old isn't some older person preying on the other.

There's a reason we have Romeo and Juliet laws, no one seems to understand them, or just don't care about them, however.

In Romeo and Juliet laws, if one reaches the age of consent while the other hasn't, the one who has reached the age can be charged with statutory rape.

Yes.

They can't be put on the sex offender registry though (or at least have a possibility of not being put on there). The jail is bad enough, but a lifetime of being stigmatized and not being able to do things like pick up your kids from school or go to church because you made a mistake when you were a teenager is ridiculous.

It's like branding people for jaywalking, or cutting a kid's hand off for stealing a candy bar, it's excessive.

[The New Earth Coalition]

Exactly. If it was an 18 year old man, his a** would be in jail, no questions.

Why do people keep saying this?

I question it. I think sending an 18 y.o. male to jail for having consensual sex with a 15 y.o. female is incredibly fucked up.

When you turn 18, you become responsible for your actions. If you are younger than 18, its ultimately your parents who are still in charge of you.

An adult having consensual sex with a minor is illegal, and should stay that way, so sex offenders, like that 18 year old girl, don't get away with it.

[Hathradic States]

Hath isn't a homophobe, neither am I.

He suffers from delusions of straight persecution. Odds are sky-high he's a homophobe.

Well, look who's on his fucking high horse? You take one statement I make and decide you actually know me. So adorable.

[Sophian]

It's not just the jail, it's the life time social stigma. Being on the sex offender registry is worse than being a felon, if you want to get employment.

The government is fucking this person's life up and destroying human capital for no good reason. It's ridiculous.

If committing rape is "no good reason" then what the fuck is a good reason?

Nobody is objecting to someone who committed rape (unconsensual sexual behavior) being charged with a felony and being required to register as a sex offender if convicted. What people are objecting to is an 18 year old being treated the same as an actual rapist for having consensual relations with the person they're dating, just because the person they're dating is 2 years and some months younger.

[Zweite Alaje]

And the ad homs keep a comin'!!! I actually have a very good and loving family, thank you very much. Don't ever insult my family.

Actually, that post's not an ad hom since it's not presented as an argument. Sorry.

I'm authoritarian for reasons you wouldn't understand little kid, kk?

Your reasons are almost certainly as unimaginative as your internet-warrior use of age-based insults, I'll bet.

Sure, just like your childish liberal pipedreams, right? You're calling me an ITG? You're the one insult my family for supposedly being terrible and saying I have emotional issues.

Keep on topic kid, or stop pestering me. Go do homework or something.

[Evraim]

Can a fifteen year old philosophically consent to sexual intercourse?

I would argue that they lack the rational faculties to wholly comprehend the consequences of their actions or to exercise full autonomy.

Isn't sex education supposed to inform them of the possible consequences?

They still wouldn't have the abilities of judgment or the level of maturity associated with adults. I am not in favor of criminalizing all forms of sexual behavior involving minors, but there does have to be a line that cannot be crossed. Eighteen years of age is a rather fair and appropriate line in my view. At that age, you're also entitled to vote or purchase cigarettes - if you nurture such a habit. Aside from that, I'm support a sliding scale of sorts.

[Quelesh]

Can a fifteen year old philosophically consent to sexual intercourse?

How does anyone "philosophically consent" to anything?

I would argue that they lack the rational faculties to wholly comprehend the consequences of their actions or to exercise full autonomy.

I would argue that you're making a ridiculously overbroad generalization, and that different people develop, both physically and mentally, at radically different rates. Age is like race: differences within groups are greater than differences between groups.

Unless, of course, you mean to challenge the legitimacy of the aforementioned law?

I challenge the legitimacy of any law. Law does not determine morality.

So, I'll ask again, can a fifteen year old consent to sexual intercourse?

The question is far too complex to answer with a simple yes/no. Not only do different people develop at different rates, but maturity, cognitive capacity, intelligence, understanding of sexuality, etc., are continua, not discrete yes/no points like an on/off switch. The question cannot be answered simply even for a single individual, since any given individual will be in different places on the continua of the various mental qualities that constitute what we call "capacity to consent." It certainly cannot be answered for an entire demographic.

If they can, shouldn't they also be permitted to drive, consume alcohol, volunteer in the military or smoke marijuana?

Yes. I think that all government-imposed age restrictions are inherently arbitrary and unjust, and should be abolished. Such things should be determined on a case-by-case basis as necessary.

[Neo Arcad]

Uhhh, doesn't that one "Romeo and Juliet" law apply here...?

[Bralia]

It's not rape, it's statutory rape between two people who are quite close in age. Teenagers having sexual relationships isn't some freak occurrence, it's quite common. The 18 year old isn't some older person preying on the other.

There's a reason we have Romeo and Juliet laws, no one seems to understand them, or just don't care about them, however.

In Romeo and Juliet laws, if one reaches the age of consent while the other hasn't, the one who has reached the age can be charged with statutory rape.

I'm curious, Cosara, I'd like to put forth a scenario. Two people, regardless of their sexuality were born in the same year. But they were born a month apart. They have a consenting relationship with no observable problems whatsoever. The older person turns 18. Do you believe it's justifiable to cry statutory rape against this person?

[Resora]

Oh look, another homophobe stating the tired and silly claim that nobody cares about the stupidity of poorly-designed sex offender laws unless it's [insert minority group here].

One, I am not a fucking homophobe. Two, this kind of shit happens all the time doesn't make the news.

Doesn't make the news != people don't care. That's like saying nobody cares about murders because only ones that are "exceptional" in some way make national news.

[Lemanrussland]

Uhhh, doesn't that one "Romeo and Juliet" law apply here...?

Hopefully she can make an appeal and at least get taken off the SO registry. It will ruin her and her family's life if she is forced to remain on it.