Just because you didn't mean to, doesn't mean you didn't break the law.
13 year olds (obviously) do not have sound judgment and that's why we have statutory rape laws in place.
The judge should do something like take away her internet privileges and order court-mandated counseling so she can understand this cause-and-effect thing, but she shouldn't go to jail because she didn't break a law.
The 22 year old's sentence should be reduced because of the mitigating factors surrounding this case, and I do believe he shouldn't be put on the national sex offender registry, but I'm not okay with establishing a precedent for "Well I didn't know so I shouldn't be charged with statutory rape."
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-02 12:26 pm (UTC)Just because you didn't mean to, doesn't mean you didn't break the law.
13 year olds (obviously) do not have sound judgment and that's why we have statutory rape laws in place.
The judge should do something like take away her internet privileges and order court-mandated counseling so she can understand this cause-and-effect thing, but she shouldn't go to jail because she didn't break a law.
The 22 year old's sentence should be reduced because of the mitigating factors surrounding this case, and I do believe he shouldn't be put on the national sex offender registry, but I'm not okay with establishing a precedent for "Well I didn't know so I shouldn't be charged with statutory rape."