Protect Teens Accused of Sex Crimes

Many issues in sex crimes occur when the older youth is almost an adult and the younger is three or more years his or her junior which states prosecute heavily on when it is teen-on-teen sexual activity. Prevention is often the best form of protection in sex crimes, but there are other ways of providing safety to accused young individuals in these situations.

Protecting teenagers from accusations of sexual criminal activity may remain the sole purpose of the lawyer when hired for these situations. A teen involved in sexual relations with another teen may not understand how the laws could hold him or her responsible for the activity in a criminal manner. However, the states each have different ages of consent, and as the mores and ideals of the public change, the age of consent means more to the parents involved in these circumstances. However, it is critical to keep a young person off the sex offenders’ registry when he or she is too young to even understand the implications.

The Age of the Cellphone

With teens engaging in text, messenger and picture and video messages, the use of a cellphone could provide all the evidence the prosecution needs to convict him or her of sex crimes in the state. The recording or pictures of sexual relations is available to any eyes viewing it to include school staff, law enforcement and the parents of those involved. One or more parties may contact the police if the behavior is between two teens with a large age gap. Some locations in the country view this type of activity as child pornography and could accuse the seen of sexual crime against the other person.

A Lack of Proof

While many state laws exist to protect children from predators, they also punish teenagers that are in a consensual and voluntary relationship. If they are near the age of consent, they may feel that their relations are not the matter of the state. However, due to the laws of the location, it is possible that two young individuals may break sex laws depending on what occurs.
One way to protect them is through a lack of proof that the act occurred. This happens when no one records the event and corroborating the situation is not possible. Many may have friends that help out or family members that may cover for them.

Family Consent

If the children are near the age of majority and the state provides the family the ability to give consent to a relationship, a teenager is able to engage in sexual relations with another person. However, the other party normally must not have a large age gap with the teen. Both parties must consent along with the family and not engage in anything that violates the laws of consent and voluntary actions. In certain situations, the other party will seek permission from the family to marry the younger person. It is possible to protect him or her through marriage if it is possible that the youth may face sex crimes charges in certain states and circumstances.

Counseling and Educational Programs

While the use of educational programs and counseling methods provide a manner of prevention for teenage sex crimes, a judge may use these processes as punishment after the crime occurs. He or she may attempt to rehabilitate through information and education rather than try to impose the serious consequences of sex offender registration and jail or prison terms for youths under a certain age. Most teen sex crimes go unreported, and underage sexual relations occur that may violate the law constantly. However, the judge may determine that an entire community or high school requires counseling and educational programs to inform of the gravity of sex crimes in the local area.