A 20-year-old individual engages in a consensual sexual relationship with a 16-year-old in a jurisdiction where the age of consent is 17. The older individual mistakenly believed the younger person was 18, based on a fake ID shown by the younger individual. Under this jurisdiction’s statutory rape law, is the older individual criminally responsible for statutory rape?
Yes, because the older individual was legally obligated to verify the younger person’s age beyond any presented documentation.
No, because the sexual relationship was consensual, and the younger individual misled the older individual about their age.
Yes, because statutory rape laws impose strict liability, and the victim was under the age of consent.
No, because the older individual reasonably believed the younger person was above the age of consent.
In statutory rape cases, consent and mistake of age are generally not defenses unless the relevant statute explicitly allows such considerations. Statutory rape is a strict liability offense in most jurisdictions, meaning the perpetrator’s intent or belief regarding the victim’s age is irrelevant under the law.
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