A 20-year-old boyfriend has sex with his 17-year-old girlfriend. When her parents find out, they are livid and go to the police. It happens all across the country every day, and it can ruin the lives of those charged with statutory rape. If convicted of statutory rape, you must register as a sex offender and undergo psychological evaluations.
If you are facing statutory rape charges, the most important thing you can do is steadfastly exercise your right to remain silent. Talking to the police in this situation will do nothing to benefit you and can only hurt your chances of avoiding charges of having your charges dismissed or avoiding the charges from being brought in the first place.
At Martens Law Office, P.C., in Boise, we provide defense representation to clients facing charges of statutory rape in Idaho. Our attorney, Jared B. Martens, is a skilled trial lawyer, familiar with area courts, and court procedures and committed to defending the rights of the accused.
Statutory rape is consensual intercourse with a person under the legal age of consent. In Idaho, it is illegal for any person 18 years of age or older to have sexual relations with a minor under 16 years of age, and it is illegal to have sex with a 16- or 17-year-old person if the adult partner is five or more years older than the minor. Therefore, the age of consent is determined by the age of the alleged statutory rapist. The actions of young people in love can result in the older partner being charged as a child sexual predator.
It is not unusual for a charge of statutory rape to arise from a misunderstanding about the age of the alleged victim or an argument between a teenager and his or her parents. A conviction can have a devastating effect on the alleged rapist. Not only could it involve jail time, but the person will be required to be listed on the child predator sex offender registry, be forbidden to be within 500 feet of a school or day care and be forbidden to be near children. As your defense attorney, Mr. Martens may suggest several strategies, including negotiating with the district attorney, and requesting that charges be dropped or reduced.
It is extremely important if you are charged with statutory rape that you consult with a criminal defense lawyer and take immediate measures to protect your rights. We have weekend and evening appointments available, offer free initial consultations, and accept credit cards. If you would like to speak with Mr. Martens, please contact our firm at (208) 344-0994 and arrange a free consultation.
