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Statutory Rape

Criminal Defense Lawyer For Statutory Rape In Indianapolis

Statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse by an adult with a person who is incapable of consenting to sex. Minors and physically and mentally disabled persons are deemed incapable of consenting to sexual relations in all states. Statutory rape is different from other cases of rape because consent and force are nonfactors. An individual cannot legally provide consent until he or she reaches the age of consent, which varies by state. In Indiana, the age of consent is 16 with a few provisions that allow those 14 and up to engage in sexual activity. Statutory rape is often referred to as sexual misconduct with a minor.

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Indiana Statutory Rape Laws

Statutory rape, or sexual misconduct with a minor, can carry heavy penalties in Indiana. According to IC 35-42-4-9, sexual misconduct with a minor is defined as:

  • A person at least eighteen years of age who, with a child at least fourteen years of age but less than sixteen years of age, performs or submits to sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct and commits sexual misconduct with a minor.
  • A person at least eighteen years of age who, with a child at least fourteen years of age but less than sixteen years of age, performs or submits to any fondling or touching, of either the child or the older person, with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the older person, commits sexual misconduct with a minor.

Sexual misconduct with a minor, or statutory rape, can be punished more severely if:

  • It is committed by a person at least twenty-one years of age;
  • It is committed by using or threatening the use of deadly force, if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon, if it results in serious bodily injury, or if the commission of the offense is facilitated by furnishing the victim, without the victim’s knowledge, with a drug or a controlled substance or knowing that the victim was furnished with the drug or controlled substance without the victim’s knowledge.

What Are My Defense Options For Statutory Rape In Indiana?

While it may seem that statutory rape cases can have no defense since consent and force are not taken into consideration, there are a few options in Indiana.

In Indiana, it is a defense to any sex crime if the defendant mistakenly believed the child was of a particular age, the defendant’s belief was reasonable, and if the child were that age, the conduct would be legal. This does not apply if the person being accused used deadly weapons or force.

The legal age for marriage in Indiana is 15 years old. A defense for sexual misconduct is that the child and defendant are or were married. This does not apply if the person being accused used deadly weapons or force.

The Romeo and Juliet defense protects 14 and 15 year olds from criminal charges for engaging in consensual sex with others close to their own age. If the accused is not more than four years older than the victim and they had an ongoing personal relationship, then they have a basis for defense in a sexual misconduct case.

While these are possible defenses in a statutory rape case, each case can have a different outcome. To ensure that you are protected, contact Patel Defense today. We maintain that all clients are innocent until proven guilty. We are committed to providing strong defense so that our clients receive the most favorable outcome.