Are people charged with statuatory rape in the USA?

Question

I'm just curious.

In the UK, the age of consent is 16, and there is a crime of statuatory rape if one of the pair is under age. However, unless there is a big age difference, or a breach of trust (e.g. a teacher) it doesn't tend to happen. Certainly, if it were a 17 and a 15 year old, it would never get to court.

Is it applied more rigourously in the USA? Some of the posts on here would seem to suggest so. Does the law actually think it is beneficial to saddle a juvenile with such a criminal record?

Thank you all for your answers.
bitchenbrod - iIdon't want a teenage girlfriend!! I've got a teenage son, but at least I know he'll leave eventually!!

I like the idea of the age +4 years. At least that may put off some of the predators, although the real perverts will ignore it anyway.

Wise ol' owl I know how you feel, I would be the same if I had a daugher, but if this difference is just either side of the line, a father in prison who has no real prospect of supporting that child doesn't seem to be to anyone's advantage.

Answer 1

The only time i've seen a statutory case is when the parents dissagree, and have the teen put through the ringer. It's not beneficial to try, and convict a person of such a young age. There should be a set age limit on sex, but children are matureing so fast, how do you set a medium for that situation?

Answer 2

In Hong Kong, the age is 16. If on or both are 16 OR under (that means including 16) they the MALE will be charged. Even if both parties agreed to this act.

The male will be charged and if young, put in a kind of juvie.
The female will not be charged of at all.

Some say it's becasue the female will have the risks of having baby and the male.. no exactly XP

Answer 3

Let me be clear with your question? You are asking if the US courts waste their time enforcing laws. If you had a 15 year old promiscuous daughter who was going out with a seventeen year old guy who found your daughter to be an easy lay, and you found the law was on your side, you would not prosecute to the fullest extent of the law? If it were me, my daughter would be in counseling and I would not only saddle a juvenile criminal with a criminal record, I probably have one as well for assaulting him and giving him a hospital record.

What say ye?

Answer 4

The violator "saddled" with the criminal record is generally an adult. {Age of consent + 4 years difference}. If they are perverted enough to have se*ual contact with a child - they deserve to be arrested.

Answer 5

oh believe me a lot of people are charged. the age of consent varies from state to state but generally it's 18 and i don't believe it's right because way too many teenagers are having sex long before 18

Answer 6

If it were say a 19 year old and a 17 year old, I doubt that law enforcement would pursue the matter.. unless the minor's parent/s pressed charges.

Are you lookin' for a sweet little teenage thing?

Answer 7

yes you can be charged for statuatory rape and each not all states have the same age for consent. I know someone that went to prison for it.

Answer 8

age 18 in the us if one person is 18 or older a parent of a under aged person wants to press charges it will be enforced

Answer 9

I think they are charged and they should be anyone who has sex with someone not of age is gross there are reasons why laws are in place for stuff like this

Answer 10

yes...in most states 18 is consentual age, but you can get prosecuted if you are over 18 and your partner is under 18, even if it was consentual....if it is pressed by parents most likely