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Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
Call Us | 318-377-1555
Carnal Knowledge Defense Attorney in Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA
Carnal knowledge of a juvenile (commonly referred to as “statutory rape”) is a criminal offense in Louisiana that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. Louisiana law defines the crime as consensual sexual intercourse between an individual who is 17 or older and another individual between the ages of 13 and 16 years of age. The determining factor for whether the crime is a misdemeanor or a felony is the age difference between those involved.
The law doesn’t care if the two individuals were in a romantic relationship and planned to get married or attend high school together. The age of consent in Louisiana is 17-years-old meaning that no one under 17 can legally consent to sexual intercourse. It is for this reason why you should take charges for carnal knowledge of a juvenile seriously and acquire legal representation.
Eric G. Johnson of the John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC understands the severity of facing charges for a sex crime and can implement his extensive legal knowledge to craft a tailored defense for your case. Eric has represented individuals facing crimes from video voyeurism to sexual assault and has successfully won acquittals on numerous occasions. Contact Eric today to discuss your legal options.
Misdemeanor Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
Per La. R.S. 14:80.1, misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile occurs when one individual who is 17 years of age or older has consensual sexual intercourse with another individual who is 13 years of age or older but younger than 17 years of age. For it to be a misdemeanor, the offender must be at least 2 years older but no more than 4 years older than the victim. This crime is punishable by:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines; or both
Any intercourse, no matter how slight, can result in one facing charges for carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
Per La. R.S. 14:80, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile can occur in one of three ways. The first being when one individual who is 17 years of age or older has consensual sexual intercourse with another individual who is 13 years of age or older but younger than 17 years of age and the offender is at least 4 years older than the victim.
An individual who commits misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile a second or subsequent time can also face felony charges.
Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile is punishable by:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Up to $5,000 in fines; or both
A felony conviction requires sex offender registration, and the offense is non-expungable.
Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being convicted of a sex crime can permanently stain your criminal record and interfere with your ability to gain employment or secure housing in certain areas. For these reasons and many others, you should waste little time in acquiring legal representation when facing misdemeanor or felony charges for carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
Eric G. Johnson of John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC brings to the table years of criminal defense experience and extensive knowledge of Louisiana’s sex crime laws. His attention to detail and thorough preparation for trial makes his services unmatchable, and it shows in the favorable results he repeatedly achieves for his clients. Bring your case to Eric and let him do the rest. Contact us today at 318-377-1555 for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carnal Knowledge
What does carnal knowledge of a juvenile mean?
Carnal knowledge of a juvenile, also known as “statutory rape”, is a criminal offense in Louisiana that defines the crime as consensual sexual intercourse between an individual who is 17 or older and another individual between the ages of 13 and 16. The law doesn’t care if the two were in a romantic relationship and planned to get married, since the age of consent in Louisiana is 17.
What is the age of consent in Louisiana?
The age of consent in Louisiana is 17 years old, meaning that no one under 17 can legally consent to sexual intercourse. That why you should take the Louisiana charges for carnal knowledge of a juvenile seriously and acquire legal representation.
What does carnal knowledge mean?
Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile can occur in one of three ways in Louisiana. The first is when one individual who is 17 or older has consensual sexual intercourse with another individual who is 13 or older but younger than 17, and the offender is at least 4 years older than the victim. Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile is punishable by up to 10 years in prison or up to $5,000 in fines.