Is there any law in North Dakota that can punish a 21 year old for having consensual physical relationship with a 16 year old?
Full Question:
I am 21 years old and my girlfriend is 16. We have been in a physical relationship and recently her father found out about this. He has decided to report me to the police. I believe I am not committing any crime since my girlfriend consented to it. Is there any law in North Dakota that can punish me for being in a physical relationship with my girlfriend?
12/28/2016 |
Category: Criminal ยป Statutory Rape |
State: North Dakota |
#28914
Answer:
North Dakota’s rape and sex crime laws govern the statutory rape issues. The punishments depend on the ages of the defendant and victim, and the conduct that occurred.
The relevant statute here would be N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 12.1-20-05 (West), under which an adult can be held guilty of a class A misdemeanour for engaging in sexual conduct with a minor. The section reads:
“1. An adult who engages in, solicits with the intent to engage in, or causes another to engage in a sexual act with a minor, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if the victim is a minor fifteen years of age or older.
2. An adult who solicits with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor under age fifteen or engages in or causes another to engage in a sexual act when the adult is at least twenty-two years of age and the victim is a minor fifteen years of age or older, is guilty of a class C felony.
3. An adult who commits a violation of subsection 1 within fifty feet [15.24 meters] of or on the real property comprising a public or nonpublic elementary, middle, or high school is guilty of a class C felony. An adult who commits a violation of subsection 2 within fifty feet [15.24 meters] of or on the real property comprising a public or nonpublic elementary, middle, or high school is guilty of a class B felony.”