Defensa por error de edad en delitos sexuales en Minnesota

Explicación Simple

Si alguien comete un delito sexual, no puede decir que no sabía la edad de la otra persona como excusa, a menos que sea solo un poco mayor. Pero si la persona es más grande y en una posición de autoridad, eso tampoco es una excusa.

Es como si un niño pequeño tratara de justificar que rompió un juguete porque no sabía que no debía hacerlo; si hay reglas claras, no importa si sabía o no.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan, de 20 años, sale con Ana, de 16. Si Juan piensa que Ana es mayor, puede usar eso como defensa solo si él tiene menos de cinco años de diferencia. Sin embargo, si Juan es su profesor, no puede usar esa excusa, incluso si Ana dice que está de acuerdo.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Mistake of age is not a defense unless actor is less than 60 months older. In any such case, if the actor is no more than 60 months older than the complainant, it shall be an affirmative defense which must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor reasonably believes the complainant to be 16 years of age or older. In all other cases, mistake as to the complainant's age shall not be a defense; (c) the actor uses coercion to accomplish the sexual contact; (d) The actor knows or has reason to know that the complainant is mentally impaired, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless; (e) the complainant is at least 16 but less than 18 years of age and the actor is more than 36 months older than the complainant and in a current or recent position of authority over the complainant. Neither mistake as to the complainant's age nor consent to the act by the complainant is a defense; (f) the actor has a significant relationship to the complainant and the complainant was at least 16 but under 18 years of age at the time of the sexual contact. Neither mistake as to the complainant's age nor consent to the act by the complainant is a defense; (g) the actor has a significant relationship to the complainant, the complainant was at least 16 but under 18 years of age at the time of the sexual contact, and: (i) the actor or an accomplice used force or coercion to accomplish the contact; (ii) the complainant suffered personal injury; or