![]() ![]() ![]() With the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney, you can work towards building a strategic defense against the charges you are facing and take steps to protect your freedom and your future. If you are in a situation where you are facing charges of sexual assault, it is important that you reach out to a Missouri Sex Assault Attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case. With awareness and media coverage also comes a fair share of false information and misrepresentation of information provided. In recent years, we have seen a greater awareness being brought to the topic of consent, in large part due to media coverage of major sexual assault cases and the #metoo movement. Contact an attorney today to learn more about your rights and legal options.Sexual assault is a category of crimes that involve performing sexual activities with another person without their consent. If you or a loved one was taken advantage of for sexual purposes under the legal age of consent of 17 years old in Missouri, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a statutory rape claim. Are You a Survivor of Sexual Assault or Statutory Rape? ![]() It is not a defense to these crimes to state that the minor gave his or her consent to the sexual activity, as consent cannot be given by someone under the age of 17. Most come with a mandatory prison sentence of 5 years, 7 years, or 10 years to life in prison. Any type of sexual contact, conduct or activity with a child under the age of 17 could result in criminal charges. Statutory rape is not the only crime that can be charged against someone who engages in sexual activity with a child under the legal age of consent in Missouri. It is against the law for someone who is 21 or older to have sex with anyone under the age of 17, even if the couple previously fell under the protection of the close-in-age exception. However, if the defendant turns 21, the plaintiff must be at least 17 years old for the Romeo and Juliet Law to apply. This exception states that if the defendant is under the age of 21 and the plaintiff is between 14 and 17 years old, it is not statutory rape or a sexual assault crime if both parties gave their consent. Missouri does have a Romeo and Juliet Law that can protect two teenagers from facing criminal charges for engaging in consensual sexual activity. This exception permits a minor to consent to sexual activity if the other person involved is close in age, such as two teenagers who are only a year apart. Many states have a close-in-age exception for their statutory rape laws, often referred to as Romeo and Juliet Laws (after Shakespeare’s famous love story involving two teenagers). Does Missouri Have a Romeo and Juliet Law? While Missouri’s statutory rape law focuses on intercourse with children, it can be used to prosecute someone who has had sexual contact with a teenager if he or she is younger than 17. This crime comes with a minimum of 10 years in prison. It is an aggravated offense, however, if the victim is less than 12 years old. This is a first-degree felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life or no less than five years in prison. Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 566.032 defines statutory rape as having sexual intercourse with a person who is less than 14 years of age. Engaging in sexual intercourse with an individual under 17 violates Missouri’s statutory rape law. There is no such thing as getting consent from someone under the age of 17 in Missouri. Anyone who is under the age of 17 cannot consent to sexual intercourse, even if he or she gives permission to engage in the sex acts. This is the minimum age at which an individual is legally able to consent to participate in sexual activity. The age of consent in Missouri is 17 years old. This means sexual activity with someone below the age of consent could result in prosecution for the crime of statutory rape. Children who are younger than the age of consent are not viewed as having the capacity to give their consent or agree to sexual contact with another person. An individual must be of a certain age to legally consent to sexual activity or intercourse in Missouri. ![]()
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