[Nevadan]

I agree. The judge was even sympathetic to the nearly 50 year old rapist because he said that the 14 year old girl “appeared older than her chronological age.” What difference does her appearance make???? She was his student! She was in his class with other 14 year old students. He had access to her records if he was in doubt! He knew her age. He knew that she wasn't 18. But even if she was, did that make it ok to rape her? According to the light sentence given by the judge, the answer is actually “yes”.

[Socon-Econ]

The statutory rapist needed a stiff sentence. But some of the participants on this thread have come close to presuming that a 14 year old is incapable of knowing right from wrong, especially where sexual transgressions are involved.