Can I plead ignorance in a statutory rape case?
The age of consent in California is EIGHTEEN (18) and you have a duty to understand the law in the U.S. when you visit it. Ignorance is no defense. You are somewhat lucky though...as there is no age defense available in California BUT "unlawful sexual intercourse" for you is only a misdemeanor since you are less than three years older than the minor. The good news ends there. You will probably be deported for your little crime and you will have an adult criminal record so you aren't likely to ever be able to return to the United States. And that criminal record will follow you for the rest of your life...yes, even in Canada....you will be known as a sex offender. Tell me now, was it worth it? One more thing...I don't think you understand the concept of "unlawful sexual intercourse" (aka "statutory rape"). Various states set a specific age as the very minimum a minor can be eligible for sexual activity. In some states, it is only 16 but in others like California, it is 18. "Statutory rape" means that the minor was too young to consent...even if you think she did, her consent is invalid. "California Penal Code - Part 1. of crimes and punishments - "Title 9. of crimes against the person involving sexual assault, and crimes against public decency and good morals Chapter 1. Rape, abduction, carnal abuse of children, and seduction. - "Section 261.5. "(a) Unlawful sexual intercourse is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the perpetrator, if the person is a minor. For the purposes of this section, a "minor" is a person under the age of 18 years and an "adult" is a person who is at least 18 years of age and older. "(b) Any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is not more than three years older or three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanor." Lastly, what will happen to you? You will be convicted (assuming that they can prove you had sex with the minor (make sure you have a good lawyer and do not plead either guilty or "no contest"...make them prove their case)) and then you will probably go to jail. They can fine you heavily and at the end of your jail time, they will deport you. God bless.
I have a restraining order pending for things i wrote in a blog, is this possible?
I have a private, online blog/diary. I write in it to vent for a disorder I have called BPD Borderline Personality Disorder, I write my feelings in it often. My exhusbands new wife hacked into it and printed out a page in which I expressed feelings of wishing her dead, etc. Now she has a court date next week for a pending restraining order on me for threating her. Is this possible? I never threatened her, it was a private blog... do you think she will actually win this case? I believe it was Invasion of Privacy to hack into my blog and print personal information from my online diary. The blog also starts with a line saying "I am writing this to vent." And the top of my blog/diary says ... THIS IS THE DIARY OF AMANDA. Does she have a case, I have never even spoke to her face to face ... how can she do this??? HELP ....
Fleeing and Eluding charge (Pennsylvania)?
What part of the state? If it was in Philadelphia or Allegheny County, you will get a more lenient sentence than in most of the others in the state. Yes, I am already talking about a sentence..... A good lawyer who works criminal/traffic cases in that County, and who knows his/her way around the system will probably keep you of jail. Don't trust some goof ball who is going to tell you that you will beat all the charges. Find someone who knows how to make deals. Your license is a thing of the past. There are no suggestions my friend, you 'bit the big one' and can only hope your lawyer has good enough relations with the DA to keep you out of jail. You may want to look for an apartment closer to your job, or someone to give you a ride daily.
What will happen if i turn myself in after 5 months? but i didnt know i had a warrant out for my arrest?
First off,,you WILL be arrested when you turn yourself in and if you do not turn yourself in, you will be arrested the first time your name is run in the system. They do not have a choice but to arrest you once a warrant is issued. Second,, I agree that you do not need to turn yourself over on a weekend, as it will be the next working day, (usually Monday) before a judge will sit bail for you. So go on a weekday. Third,, unless you are going to fight this then a attorney will be a waste of money on your part. Fourth, I would take enough money with me to pay ALL the fines. You will also need to find out the fines for failure to appear. If you can pay ALL the fines on the spot, they might will let you see a judge and avoid being arrested if you go to the court. If that isn't a possibility for you, try calling and talking to the county attorney or the A.D.A. and working out a plea of guilty. But whatever you do, I would not go in there with a BS story like you have posted in here. Excuses just are NOT going to work or be appreciated by anyone. Just say you forgot or that you were too afraid to go to court. Whatever you decide to do, good luck, and stay out of trouble from now on.