Baton Rouge Statutory Rape Lawyer

What is Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile?

Carnal knowledge of a juvenile refers to engaging in sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual contact with someone below the age of consent in Louisiana or a minor younger than 17 years of age under LA. R.S. § 14:80 and La. R.S. § 14:80.1.

Even if both parties consented to the sexual activity or the sexual relationship involved consensual sex, if the victim’s age is under 17 years of age, in Louisiana, he or she is legally incapable of consent; so, any sexual activities are still considered statutory rape.

Additionally, if “consensual sex” or sexual contact occurs between two minors between the ages of 13 and 16, if one party is four or more years of age older, the older party could still face a statutory rape charge in Baton Rouge. For parties less than four years apart, Louisiana’s Romeo and Juliet exception may reduce penalties.

The alleged crime can also apply if the offender had a reasonable belief that the alleged victim was old enough to legally consent. However, engaging in sexual penetration or acts meant to gratify sexual desire with a juvenile, even if the minor considers it “consensual sex,” still carries severe penalties and can overlap with other sex crimes depending on the circumstances of the sexual encounter or sexual relationship.

If you’re facing criminal charges, you need a strong statutory rape defense. Our Baton Rouge statutory rape defense attorneys have a proven track record of providing a successful defense for our clients. Call our law office for a free consultation to see how our sex crimes lawyers can help.

Louisiana Statutory Rape Laws

Louisiana statutory rape law provides provisions for:

• Aggravated sexual assault or rape: This involves sexual intercourse or sexual penetration with a person under the age of 13. In Louisiana, aggravated sexual assault is treated as one of the most severe sex crimes, with penalties that include a life prison sentence without parole. If one party is under 13, the criminal charges apply regardless of whether the older party had sexual consent before the sexual activity. This is closely related to what other states might call “first-degree felony.”
• Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile: These sex crimes apply when someone over 17 has consensual sex with a minor who is at least 13 but younger than 17, and the age difference between them is four or more years. Those convicted will face up to 10 years of prison time with a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence. This is more similar to what other states might classify as a “second-degree felony.”
• Misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile: This applies when minors engage in sexual intercourse or activities, but the age difference between the parties is less than four years. In Louisiana, penalties can include up to a six-month prison sentence.
• Indecent behavior with a juvenile: This offense involves any lewd or lascivious actions committed by an individual over the age of 17 with a juvenile under 17, with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire, but does not require actual sexual intercourse. Convictions can include potential jail time and sex offender registry requirements. If you’re charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile in Baton Rouge, contact our law office for a free consultation.

Each of the following terms applies in the context of legal sexual assault definitions regarding consensual sex or sexual activity and may involve individuals who are legally incapable of consenting, such as an alleged victim when statutory rape occurs:

1. Sexual intercourse: The sexual penetration of a sex organ of one person by another, with or without clothing intended to cover the area.
2. Sexual activities: Physical actions of a sexual nature, including any sexual act or behavior involving sexual contact with intent to have some form of sexual relationship.
3. Sexual act: Any deliberate sexual contact, including penetration, between any sex organ and another body part during a sexual encounter.

If you’re facing false accusations or have been charged with statutory rape, do not wait to hire a statutory rape defense attorney in Baton Rouge. Sex crimes involving sexual assault of a minor are prosecuted harshly in Louisiana.