Sex Crimes: Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a serious condition in the United States. Statutory rape is the process of an adult forcing a child or minor, who is not of legal consenting age, to participate in sexual activities as well as inappropriate touching. The court system is no very lenient on individuals who commit this type of crime. Sexual assault is the same idea, but it is between two adults.
Statutory Rape
Child molestation is another term for statutory rape, and is a very serious crime. In many jurisdictions, the ability to be a consenting adult depends on the mental age and capacity of the individual. It does not necessarily mean the person is the legal adult age of eighteen, because if he or she is not mentally able to make adult decisions then they are not a legal adult under the judge's eyes.
There is a law called the “Romeo and Juliet” law that simply states that if an adult is three years older than the minor who is the victim, then the offender does not often receive harsh punishment and the crime is less severe. This is most common between two teenagers. Miami criminal lawyers will walk his or her client through each step of the process regarding statutory rape charges.
It is common, however, for charges and penalties to be more severe when the rape consists of two people of the same sex. One of the most common cases of statutory rape, however, is between an older woman and a younger man.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is forcing someone to indulge in intimate relations and touching or speaking to him or her inappropriately. Some cases of sexual assault are:
· Rape
· Forced sexual intercourse
· Inappropriate touching and kissing
· Torture of a victim in a sexual manner
· Child molestation
Rape, or sexual assault, can be between an individual and his or her neighbor, a friend or family members. It is most common for a female to be sexually assaulted by someone she is dating or an ex-boyfriend. Friends also fall under this category for females. When someone has been a victim of sexual assault, it is very common for him or her to receive:
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Post-traumatic stress disorder
Everyone knows that a form of sexual abuse or assault between family members is incest. This is a non-tolerated crime among the justice system, and the punishments can be severe. This is the most common form of child abuse within the United States. A Miami criminal lawyer is your best bet in fighting cases such as this. The child is a victim, and he or she usually comes out of the situation with severe psychological problems.
Anyone who is involved in a sexual assault crime or a statutory rape charge is labeled as a sex offender. This does not look good on a criminal record, and in most jurisdictions, the sex offender must let his or her neighbors know that they have committed a sex crime. When a sex offender moves into a new neighborhood, this is something that he or she will have to deal with. If you or someone you know is going through a criminal charge of this kind then contact your local Miami criminal lawyer to help you resolve the issue and receive the lesser punishment available.
