Criminal Defense
- Your Legal Rights
- Criminal Defense FAQs
- Civil Rights Violations/Police Brutality
- College Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Crimes FAQs
- When Does Drug Possession Become Drug Trafficking?
- Defenses to Drug Trafficking In Pennsylvania
- Conspiracy To Traffic Drugs
- Cocaine Crimes
- Drug Paraphernalia Charges
- Drug Possession Charges
- Heroin Crimes
- Intent To Deliver Charges
- Marijuana Crimes
- MDMA
- Meth Crimes
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Fentanyl Drug Crime
- Student Drug Charges
- DUI/DWI/Impaired Driving Crimes
- DUI Basics
- Defending DUI cases
- First-Offense Penalties
- Penalties For Multiple DUI Convictions In Pennsylvania
- Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana
- Driving Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs
- Aggravated Assault While DUI
- Vehicular Homicide Via DUI
- Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
- State Of DUI Law After Birchfield
- Federal Crimes
- Computer And Internet Fraud
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Federal Sex Offenses
- Federal Conspiracy
- White collar crimes
- Arrest, Indictment And Arraignment
- Gun Possession And Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Federal Government Investigations
- Federal Crimes FAQs
- Federal Crimes Versus State Crimes
- Felony Charges
- Juvenile Crimes
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.)
- Arrest Warrants
- Chester County Common Pleas Judges
- Chester County District Justices
- Federal Grand Jury
- Helpful Links
- Indicting Grand Juries
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws
- Montgomery County District Justices
- Pennsylvania Courts
- Preliminary Hearings
- Preliminary Arraignment
- Post-Conviction Related Issues
- Professional License Defense
- Representation Of Public Officials & Grand Jury Investigations
- Sex Crimes
- Sex Crimes FAQs
- What Constitutes A Sexual Offense?
- When Should I Call A Lawyer For A Sex Crime
- How To Avoid Conviction For A Sex Crime
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Title IX Sexual Assault Defense
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Child Pornography
- False Allegations Of Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Crimes Against Minors
- Solicitation Of A Minor
- Corruption Of Minors
- Child Endangerment
- Children Youth And Families Investigations (CYS Investigations)
- Megan’s Law
- Statutory Rape
- Sex Crimes Involving Teachers
- Sex Crimes Trials
- Sexually Violent Predator Hearings
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault Of An Unborn Child
- Pennsylvania Law On Self-Defense
- Domestic Violence Charges
- Protection from Abuse (PFA)
- Restraining Order Violations
- Murder
- What’s The Difference Between First- And Second-Degree Murder?
- First-Degree Murder
- Second-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Manslaughter
- Terroristic Threats
- Weapons & Firearm Charges
- Kidnapping
- Communities Served
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
- Drunk Driving Accidents/Dram Shop Liability
- Hit-And-Runs
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip-And-Fall Injuries
- Texting and Distracted Drivers
- Victims Of Crimes
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What Are Crime Victim Rights in Pennsylvania
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Victims of Crime
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
Professional License Defense
Communities Served
Facing Charges Of Statutory Sexual Assault
It is the wisdom of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that adults should not have sex with people under 16 years of age. People who act against this law can be charged with statutory rape. When the underage person is between 13 and 15 years old and the other party is at least four years older, the charge is statutory sexual assault. Sex with a minor under 13 is charged as rape of a child.
The difference between statutory rape and statutory sexual assault is that people between 13 and 15 are not considered capable of giving consent under the law — no matter what they may say or do.
Many cases of statutory sexual assault occur in a dating situation: Two young people, one between 13 and 15 and the other a mere four years older, do what young people do. It is imperative to seek out experienced counsel if you or a family member is charged with this crime.
There are several standard defenses to rape charges. The defense most commonly deployed is that the accused did not know the age of the other party — or was misled about it. Another is mistaken identity — someone else committed the crime. In some situations, the accused can plead not guilty by insanity — lacking the capacity to control his or her behavior, to have criminal intent or to understand what he or she was doing or that the actions were unlawful.
Choose A Sexual Assault Lawyer With Care
Whatever defensive strategy you pursue, it is critical to have a team of attorneys who know how the courts deal with the charge of statutory sexual assault. Our goal is always to minimize your pain throughout this challenging process.
We want to hear your side of the story, in English or Spanish. Call our West Chester offices to schedule a confidential consultation at 610-314-7066. Or send us your questions using this form.
Criminal Defense
- Your Legal Rights
- Criminal Defense FAQs
- Civil Rights Violations/Police Brutality
- College Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Crimes FAQs
- When Does Drug Possession Become Drug Trafficking?
- Defenses to Drug Trafficking In Pennsylvania
- Conspiracy To Traffic Drugs
- Cocaine Crimes
- Drug Paraphernalia Charges
- Drug Possession Charges
- Heroin Crimes
- Intent To Deliver Charges
- Marijuana Crimes
- MDMA
- Meth Crimes
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Fentanyl Drug Crime
- Student Drug Charges
- DUI/DWI/Impaired Driving Crimes
- DUI Basics
- Defending DUI cases
- First-Offense Penalties
- Penalties For Multiple DUI Convictions In Pennsylvania
- Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana
- Driving Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs
- Aggravated Assault While DUI
- Vehicular Homicide Via DUI
- Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
- State Of DUI Law After Birchfield
- Federal Crimes
- Computer And Internet Fraud
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Federal Sex Offenses
- Federal Conspiracy
- White collar crimes
- Arrest, Indictment And Arraignment
- Gun Possession And Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Federal Government Investigations
- Federal Crimes FAQs
- Federal Crimes Versus State Crimes
- Felony Charges
- Juvenile Crimes
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.)
- Arrest Warrants
- Chester County Common Pleas Judges
- Chester County District Justices
- Federal Grand Jury
- Helpful Links
- Indicting Grand Juries
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws
- Montgomery County District Justices
- Pennsylvania Courts
- Preliminary Hearings
- Preliminary Arraignment
- Post-Conviction Related Issues
- Professional License Defense
- Representation Of Public Officials & Grand Jury Investigations
- Sex Crimes
- Sex Crimes FAQs
- What Constitutes A Sexual Offense?
- When Should I Call A Lawyer For A Sex Crime
- How To Avoid Conviction For A Sex Crime
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Title IX Sexual Assault Defense
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Child Pornography
- False Allegations Of Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Crimes Against Minors
- Solicitation Of A Minor
- Corruption Of Minors
- Child Endangerment
- Children Youth And Families Investigations (CYS Investigations)
- Megan’s Law
- Statutory Rape
- Sex Crimes Involving Teachers
- Sex Crimes Trials
- Sexually Violent Predator Hearings
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault Of An Unborn Child
- Pennsylvania Law On Self-Defense
- Domestic Violence Charges
- Protection from Abuse (PFA)
- Restraining Order Violations
- Murder
- What’s The Difference Between First- And Second-Degree Murder?
- First-Degree Murder
- Second-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Manslaughter
- Terroristic Threats
- Weapons & Firearm Charges
- Kidnapping
- Communities Served
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
- Drunk Driving Accidents/Dram Shop Liability
- Hit-And-Runs
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip-And-Fall Injuries
- Texting and Distracted Drivers
- Victims Of Crimes
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What Are Crime Victim Rights in Pennsylvania
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Victims of Crime
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
Professional License Defense
Communities Served