Rape laws criminalize sexual intercourse that happens without the consent of at least one of the participants. Rape falls under the broader category of sexual assault (which includes offenses such as groping and other unwanted sexual contact). If an individual has sexual intercourse with someone, the crime of rape may occur under the following scenarios described by California state laws:
State law also defines the rape of minors when an adult engages in sexual intercourse with a minor (18 and younger in California). The severity of the charge depends on the age of the victim and the age difference between the defendant and the victim. When sexual intercourse happens between an adult and a minor, the act itself may be enough for a prosecution as the minor, by law, is not able to provide lawful consent. In these cases, a prosecutor does not need to show that the defendant engaged in any threatening, violent, or otherwise unlawful conduct that can sometimes describe rape between adults.
| Statutes | California Penal Code Section 261 (general definition of non-spousal rape) California Penal Code Section 261.5 (definition of statutory rape) California Penal Code Section 262 (definition of spousal rape) California Penal Code Section 264 (punishments for rape crimes) |
| Possible Penalties | In general, California state laws punish a conviction of rape with a sentence of imprisonment in state prison for 3, 6 or 8 years. The potential sentence can increase when:
California state laws also set fines from $2,000 to $25,000 as civil penalties when an adult engages in sexual intercourse with a minor. State law establishes an alternate punishment for rape when less than three years separate the ages of the defendant and the victim. For this crime, the prosecutor may pursue either a misdemeanor charge or a felony charge. The consequences of a conviction may be a term ranging from 1-3 years in county jail. The state can also consider the defendant's prior or current criminal record in deciding whether to pursue enhanced sentencing. |
| Defenses | The most common defense to rape is consent. If the defendant can prove that sexual intercourse did not violate the victim's will, due to the other person's consent or permission, the prosecutor may be unable to establish the elements of rape. Consent often becomes a controversial defense, however, because the argument may require evidence of the victim's sexual history. When the rape victim is a child or an individual lacking mental capacity, consent is not an available defense. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Related Resources For California Rape Laws
Contact An Attorney About Your Rape Charges
If you've been charged with rape or a related sex crime, it may not seem like you have many options. However, it's important to understand that you're considered innocent until the prosecution meets the burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Which is why it's critical to have an experienced California criminal defense attorney in your corner.
