Stefan has issued a call for nominations for assorted awards and such below. I'll leave that task to readers but should chime in on a category I don't think Stefan envisioned: worst news story covered in the local press.
I nominate a story just shared today by Dan Savage at the Stranger, in which a 17-year-old male was sent to jail in Georgia for 10 years with no chance for parole, all for the high crime of receiving consensual oral sex from a 15-year-old female. Savage's brief post links to the Volokh Conspiracy for more complete coverage (which interested readers are encouraged to digest).
The story is beyond appalling. The sentence, particularly at that length, stands a good chance of ruining the kid's life, or at least a solid portion of it, all for being on the receiving end of many a 17 year old male's regular fantasy. The bitter irony of the matter is the law in question was changed after the "crime" was committed, and even at the time, the felony charge he faced would have been only a misdemeanor if he had instead had intercourse with the girl.
This is an object lesson on why state legislatures need to carefully consider the consequences of the laws they pass, particularly when considering challenging questions such as age of consent, mandatory sentences, etc. Of course, it doesn't help this ABC news coverage from earlier in the year notes in Georgia, "oral sex between husband and wife was illegal, punishable by up to 20 years in prison" until 1998. Ugh.
Commenters here have in the past engaged in spirited debates pertaining to laws regulating social mores. I'm curious of the reaction to this story. It strikes me as more evidence legislative bodies should err on the side of caution when considering issues of consensual sex and related adult behavior.
Yes it's inconsistent to have separate definitions for different acts. But while a minor this particular boy was still two years older than the girl, I don't see this sentence as a major injustice. I would have liked to have seen all the boys and the girl convicted of statutory rape or something similar and locked away for ten years. This is rape and child molestation no matter how you slice it.
The fact is that they were both high schoolers. Had the guy been 35, then yah its a serious crime. Not even mentioning that they actually treat oral sex worse then intercourse. Thats kind of backwards if you think about it. She was just as much a participant as he was.
Well, regardless, there's number 1005 not to live in Georgia or anywhere in that stupidity infested bible belt.
Posted by: Giffy on December 19, 2006 06:35 AMYou are so right. I think they should go a step further and castrate the young pervert. That'll teach him. It serves the best interest of society to ruin his pathetic worthless life. We don't need him anyway.
You sanctimonious ass.
Posted by: REBEL on December 19, 2006 07:43 AMMeanwhile, I think REBEL's response to M167A1 is too kind. Lots of teenagers going to jail for a long time (throughout all of history) in that guy's world.
Posted by: Eric Earling on December 19, 2006 08:49 AMTeenagers today are totally different than even 10 years ago. There are no commitments, no strings, and every one is a FTF (Friends that F*ck) Oral sex is considered safe sex to them. Look at the Rave Parties. Do you think that they sit around eat popcorn and watch Lassie?
As my G Ma used to say, you reap what you sow. Well I guess society deserves what we get. All parents today need to responsible, and lead by example. Get involved in your child's life, even if it means putting off things that we think "we adults" need.
The state of Georgia needs to do the RIGHT thing and pardon this boy.
Posted by: Chris on December 19, 2006 09:02 AMi cant help to contrast this kid's sentence/penal code expectations with that of the human trash who (out yet again from jail) recently rammed & killed a young police lady here in WA. justice?
Im a strict laws person, but realize laws cant be eternally concrete and (rarely) should be adjusted for circumstance. not condoning, just weighing the punishment compared to other perps out there. maybe a sentence to a few years of community service assisting rape or other crime victims might be good payment.
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on December 19, 2006 10:40 PMOh, wait, we don't teach that to jurors in Washington, either. Hrmph.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/296584_cannon20.html
Posted by: snohomeless on December 21, 2006 07:57 AM