Should Statutory Rape Laws Be Amended?

Editorial Note: This post was submitted by a reader. The author states that he is “trying to foster a healthy debate.” It deals with a timely and obviously sensitive issue that is currently within the local community. There have been many that have previously voiced their opinion on the current case from many different angles.

Healthy debate, open discussion and varied opinions are a mark of an engaged community. Sometimes passions over one side or the other can serve to dilute the conversation, inflame, and derail the central issue of a debate.

For those reasons, please confine comments on this piece to the general issue as put forth by the author. This is not intended to be a forum to debate the particulars of an individual case. Disrespectful posts and posts containing personal attacks will be deleted as will posts that stray into discussing an individual case.

A “healthy debate” is one where all sides are open to, and respectful of, a variety of voices and opinions even when adamantly disagreeing with those views. Hopefully, these parameters will help foster the results the author seeks.

Recent events in town have created a debate over the laws with respect to statutory rape. While the laws are there to protect the young and vulnerable, are the consequences too harsh for those who are close in age and were in a relationship?

I am not trying to answer those questions here, but I am trying fostering a healthy debate.

Minnesota Law tells us what is and is not an illegal act, when it comes to intimate relations. (State of Minnesota § 609.344, 2010) Such laws group all persons, 18 and over into one category with the same culpability and therefor the same penalties, but is this fair? Teen-Aid, a non-profit group would probably agree. (Teen-Aid, Inc., Unknown, p. about) Teen-Aid advocates for abstinence in pre-marital relationships, especially for teens, however the State of Florida does not agree. (State of Florida § 943.04354, 2009) In 2007 the state enacted what is referred to as a Romeo and Juliet Law. It allows for someone to have his or her name removed from the sexual offenders’ data base under certain circumstances.

Is such a law right for Minnesota? Some in town think so, do you?

Below is a list of resources of information. This list is not exhaustive by any means, however, will give you, the reader some basic information, enough to begin a debate. Inform yourself and opine.

Works Cited

State of Florida § 943.04354. (2009). 943.04354. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from My Florida House: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/Statutes/FS09/CH0943/Sectio...

State of Minnesota § 609.101. (2010). 609.101 Surcharge on Fines, Assessments; Minimum Fines. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.101

State of Minnesota § 609.344. (2010). 609.344 Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.344

Teen-Aid, Inc. (Unknown). About Teen-Aid. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from Teen-Aid: http://www.teen-aid.org/About_Teen-Aid.htm

Teen-Aid, Inc. (Unknown). Minnesota Resources. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from Teen-Aid: http://www.teen-aid.org/state_resourses/minnesota.htm

USLeagal.com. (2001-2011). Romeo and Juliet Law and Legal Definition. Retrieved 09 22, 2011, from US Legal: http://definitions.uslegal.com/r/romeo-and-juliet-law/