Delta4Embassy
Gold Member
Guess it is in some places, but isn't here in Missouri prompting the question especially in light of the 19 and 14yo thing.
What's a 16, 17, or 18 look like? Can most teenagers recognize a fake ID? Is asking for ID something teens are doing these days prior to having sex? If not, then isn't allowing for the possibility someone had a fake ID, or otherwise lied about their age to have sex or induldge in other 'adult' activites (drinking etc.) within the realm of possibility?
Short of asking the person you're with to prove they are their alledged age (however that'd work as with fake IDs,) isn't it a bit harsh to hold someone legally responsible for statutory rape when they didn't do the usual sort of things true sexual criminals do as with misrepresenting THEIR age or hanging out a minor-oriented website instead of an adult one?
If you're hanging around a playground (and don't have akid there yourself,) the reasonable assumption is you're up to no good. That's how it should be. But if you're at a bar (21+) and hookup with someone, beer goggles in full effect, should you really be liable for mistaking a mature-looking minor? Should you be liable meeting them online on a sex hookup website?
What's a 16, 17, or 18 look like? Can most teenagers recognize a fake ID? Is asking for ID something teens are doing these days prior to having sex? If not, then isn't allowing for the possibility someone had a fake ID, or otherwise lied about their age to have sex or induldge in other 'adult' activites (drinking etc.) within the realm of possibility?
Short of asking the person you're with to prove they are their alledged age (however that'd work as with fake IDs,) isn't it a bit harsh to hold someone legally responsible for statutory rape when they didn't do the usual sort of things true sexual criminals do as with misrepresenting THEIR age or hanging out a minor-oriented website instead of an adult one?
If you're hanging around a playground (and don't have akid there yourself,) the reasonable assumption is you're up to no good. That's how it should be. But if you're at a bar (21+) and hookup with someone, beer goggles in full effect, should you really be liable for mistaking a mature-looking minor? Should you be liable meeting them online on a sex hookup website?