Oh, Matty. Have you been a naughty boy?

Derec said:

Did Gaetz know that she was 17? That ABC News article does state that she misrepresented her age as being >18.

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Rhea said:

Derec said:

Did Gaetz know that she was 17? That ABC News article does state that she misrepresented her age as being >18.

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Maybe if he doesn’t want to be at risk for having sex with underage people, he should just stay sober and not go out at night.

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Can I Still Be Charged If the Minor Lied About Their Age?​

Even if a minor lies about their age, the older individual can still be charged with statutory rape. In Florida, this means you cannot use a “mistake-of-age defense” to legally justify your sexual encounter with a minor.

The only exemption Florida allows in statutory rape cases is outlined under its “Romeo and Juliet” law. Under this law, Florida provides an exemption to partners who are “close in age” to the minor they were involved with. For example, under this exemption, a 18- and 17-year-old could engage in sexual activity.

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southernhybrid said:

Rhea said:

Derec said:

Did Gaetz know that she was 17? That ABC News article does state that she misrepresented her age as being >18.

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Maybe if he doesn’t want to be at risk for having sex with underage people, he should just stay sober and not go out at night.

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It doesn't matter whether he thought she was older than 17, although that defense occasionally works.

https://thelawman.net/blog/can-i-be-charged-statutory-rape-if-i-was-unaware-my-partners-age/

Can I Still Be Charged If the Minor Lied About Their Age?​

Even if a minor lies about their age, the older individual can still be charged with statutory rape. In Florida, this means you cannot use a “mistake-of-age defense” to legally justify your sexual encounter with a minor.

The only exemption Florida allows in statutory rape cases is outlined under its “Romeo and Juliet” law. Under this law, Florida provides an exemption to partners who are “close in age” to the minor they were involved with. For example, under this exemption, a 18- and 17-year-old could engage in sexual activity.

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I guess Matt should have asked for her driver's license to make sure she at least 18. it's amazing how many men get away with these crimes, especially when it involves someone who is technically a minor.

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SLD said:

Marjorie Taylor Greene says if every member of Congress had to resign for doing what Matt Gaetz has been accused of, "Democrats would have a supermajority."

Ohhhhhkay!

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SLD said:

Marjorie Taylor Greene says if every member of Congress had to resign for doing what Matt Gaetz has been accused of, "Democrats would have a supermajority."

Ohhhhhkay!

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ideologyhunter said:

He has the right hair for televangelist. And he knows how to bring the bullshit. I can hear the rustle of the twenties, fifties, and hundreds coming in.

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Bronzeage said:

Derec said:

I think age misrepresentation should definitely be a valid defense against these kinds of charges, yes.
I also think 16 years is a better cutoff for age of consent than 18. 18 (or above) is actually pretty rare in the civilized world.

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That can be presented to the judge before the sentencing and after the conviction. It might help, but the judge has heard that one before. Why not try, "The Devil made me do it." If a person has sex with another person who is legally incapable of giving consent, it's a crime, as defined by the applicable statute.

This crime falls into the category of "exploiting the helpless" and blaming it on her only compounds the sin.

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