Rape is the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force, duress, or undue influence to engage in sexual intercourse where consent of the victim is not given or where the victim is incapable of giving legal consent, whether because of age or because of incapacitation. A person is unable to legally consent to sexual intercourse when the age of the consenting person is below a statutory minimum required by the specific state law. In the United States, the age of consent typically is between ages 16 and 18, depending on the state. The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16, but there are instances of "close-in-age" exceptions where the individuals engaged in voluntary sexual relations are teens only a few years apart in age. Typically, if the alleged statutory rapist is more than four years older than the underage victim, then the "close-in-age" exception to prosecution may not apply.
The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that a warrant for the arrest of a 33-year-old man has been issued for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The suspect is believed to be in California and awaits a hearing, upon arrest, to address the charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday.
If you have been charged with a serious felony such as rape, then you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in order to ensure that your rights are aggressively protected. Whether in Scranton, Honesdale, Montrose, Stroudsburg, Tunkhannock or Wilkes-Barre, an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney can navigate you through the complicated criminal system - and will fight for your rights!
Don't risk a long prison sentence by putting your liberty in the hands of the legal system or of an inexperienced or unavailable lawyer. Contact an aggressive and experienced rape defense lawyer at Rogan Law today! We are ready to protect you.