[url=http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/05/anynonymous-defends-teen-charged-felony-lesbian-relationship]This[/url] provides some further clarification of the case. They began the relationship ages 15 and 17. The age of consent in Florida is 18, meaning they were both minors.

[quote]I don't know, I can see the gray area in this one, but if push comes to shove, I'd prefer a no tolerance policy on people over the age of majority having sexual relations with someone under the age of consent over watering down statutory r@p3 laws or enforcement[/quote] I would prefer a case by case determination being made rather than destroying human lives because of the black and white lettering of the law. Especially considering that this relationship was started when it was legal and it was only brought to the cops attention once the older one turned 18 and it was made illegal. They didn't approach the parents of the other child in the plethora of time they had prior to this. They went straight to the cops and then started petitioning for the girl to be expelled.

Well, they are not required to try to resolve it with the other parents. Even if their motives were bigotry, the simple fact is someone over 18 was having sex with someone under 16. Society has decided this isn't OK. I'm fine with that law. I do like the 36 month age gap exclusion that exists in my home state, but I can't fault a state that doesn't have that. Becoming a legal adult come with responsibilities, one obvious one is not to have sex with non-consenting children.

the issue the state will have now is proving that sexual intercourse occurred after the accused party turned 18, if they are unable to prove that, the case will be dismissed or the party found not guilty. If that is the case i would expect a lawsuit against the party that effectively slandered that persons reputation for no reason beside they were being bigots.

Well, they don't have to prove intercourse. Pretty much second base would fit the definition of the crime she is charged with. [quote]800.04 Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age.— (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section: (a) “Sexual activity” means the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose. (b) “Consent” means intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent, and does not include submission by coercion. (c) “Coercion” means the use of exploitation, bribes, threats of force, or intimidation to gain cooperation or compliance. (d) “Victim” means a person upon whom an offense described in this section was committed or attempted or a person who has reported a violation of this section to a law enforcement officer. (2) PROHIBITED DEFENSES.—Neither the victim’s lack of chastity nor the victim’s consent is a defense to the crimes proscribed by this section. (3) IGNORANCE OR BELIEF OF VICTIM’S AGE.—The perpetrator’s ignorance of the victim’s age, the victim’s misrepresentation of his or her age, or the perpetrator’s bona fide belief of the victim’s age cannot be raised as a defense in a prosecution under this section. (4) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS BATTERY.—A person who: (a) Engages in sexual activity with a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age; or (b) Encourages, forces, or entices any person less than 16 years of age to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any other act involving sexual activity commits lewd or lascivious battery, a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (5) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS MOLESTATION.— (a) A person who intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator, commits lewd or lascivious molestation. (b) An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082(3)(a)4. (c)1. An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age; or 2. An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (d) An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (6) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT.— (a) A person who: 1. Intentionally touches a person under 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner; or 2. Solicits a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd or lascivious act commits lewd or lascivious conduct. (b) An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious conduct commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (c) An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious conduct commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (7) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS EXHIBITION.— (a) A person who: 1. Intentionally masturbates; 2. Intentionally exposes the genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner; or 3. Intentionally commits any other sexual act that does not involve actual physical or sexual contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity in the presence of a victim who is less than 16 years of age, commits lewd or lascivious exhibition. (b) An offender 18 years of age or older who commits a lewd or lascivious exhibition commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (c) An offender less than 18 years of age who commits a lewd or lascivious exhibition commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (8) EXCEPTION.—A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance constitute a violation of this section[/quote]