Child molestation or simply a missunderstanding?

[droogin_princess]

My friend was recently arrested on a bench warrant that he didnt know he had.He is being accused of child molestation in the first degree in accordance with the definition of that crime in washington.He was arrested in california but extradited to washington. The said crime occured on 1-1-03 when he was still 12 and no charges were filed until 2008 when he had already turned 18. Is it legal for him to be convicted when he himself was under the age of consent and the law states that the perpatrator must be over 12 years old? Is it ok to mark him for life as a sexual predator when all he was doing was being a normal child exploring withsomeone else his age?

Advise your friend to consult with an attorney.

Originally Posted by droogin_princess My friend was recently arrested on a bench warrant that he didnt know he had.He is being accused of child molestation in the first degree in accordance with the definition of that crime in washington.He was arrested in california but extradited to washington. The said crime occured on 1-1-03 when he was still 12 and no charges were filed until 2008 when he had already turned 18. Is it legal for him to be convicted when he himself was under the age of consent and the law states that the perpatrator must be over 12 years old? Is it ok to mark him for life as a sexual predator when all he was doing was being a normal child exploring withsomeone else his age?

I'm not a lawyer, but I highly doubt those charges would stick. First of all, you have the statute of limitations to consider, as well as the issue of charging an adult with a crime that he did when he was a minor. Then you have a case of "his word against hers" without any material evidence.

If the other person involved was of a similar age, then unless there was forcible rape or coercion, then the issue of "who molested whom" would also be brought up.

It's a case that nobody would want to get involved in due to the timeline, the ages of both involved, and the implications surrounding it.

Your friend should get an attorney, say nothing, and have the case thrown out like it should be.

[forum_admin]

Duplicate thread.

Childhood mistake turned into child molestation charges