Statutory Rape Vertical Prosecution

What is Statutory Rape? Statutory Rape is unlawful sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 18. What is Vertical Prosecution? Studies show that when it comes to crimes of a personal and sexual nature one attorney handling all aspects of the case, from charging through sentencing, increases effectiveness in understanding the dynamics of each particular case and the needs of each victim.

Are We Prosecuting Every Case?

No. We are evaluating each case independently to determine if criminal charges are appropriate.

Why So Much Attention to Statutory Rape?

California has the highest teen birth rate in the U.S.

  • 3 of 4 births to high school girls are fathered by adults.
  • Men over 25 account for twice as many teen births as boys under 18 years old.
  • Men over 20 are responsible for 5 times as many births among junior high school girls than males under 20.
  • On an average California day 76 teenage girls, 17 & younger, will give birth.
  • In 1993 1,572 births in California were to mothers 14 years or younger.
  • The rate of sexually transmitted disease among teenage girls is twice that of teenage boys.
  • This all translates into a tremendous drain on our welfare and medical resources statewide.
  • AFDC and Medi-Cal costs for 1 teen pregnancy, birth, and first-year support is $10,000.

Total costs for teen births to those 17 and younger in 1993 for California were $140 million.

What Can Be Done?

Spread the word that all reports of statutory rape are being evaluated and in appropriate cases charges are being filed.

You can report any knowledge of Statutory Rape to local Law Enforcement or to the District Attorney's Sexual Assault Unit.

If you have questions concerning this topic, please contact our office at (650) 363-4636 and ask to be referred to the attorney handling the Sexual Assault Unit. Please limit your questions to those dealing with California law only.