March 31, 2011 (Press-News.org) In early February, a Davis County charter school drama teacher pleaded guilty to forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. According to the allegations, the teacher had given an underage girl rides home and fondled her on at least two occasions, and while he was charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, one count was dropped by the prosecutor in exchange for a guilty plea.
As a second-degree felony, forcible sexual abuse carries a possible sentence of one to 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000. However, the prosecutors in the office of the Davis County Attorney say they will recommend that the teacher receive treatment as a sex offender at the Northern Utah Community Correction Facility.
The case serves as a reminder of the variety of laws Utah has that concern sexual activity with children. The charge against the teacher was forcible sexual abuse, which is any sort of sexual touching of a victim over the age of 14. Had the victim been under the age of 14, the charge would have been sexual abuse of a child, which is also a second-degree felony, although a number of additional circumstances (such as use of weapons, violence, threats, and even pornography) can raise it to a first-degree felony. Even being in a "position of special trust," with the victim, such as a relative, coach, teacher, or doctor (among other roles), can escalate this charge to first-degree felony -- as would have been the case here, since the defendant was a teacher.
Utah's laws regarding sexual conduct with minors are gradually more punative, based on the age of the minor and the conduct in question. For victims under the age of 14, most any sexual act beyond the sexual touching mentioned above is a first-degree felony. For victims between the ages of 14 and 18, the law offers lesser penalties for some crimes (such as unlawful sexual activity with a minor or sexual abuse of a minor) if the defendant is close in age to the victim. But this does not mean that sexual activity with persons in this age range is necessarily legal. Anyone with questions regarding Utah's various criminal statutes pertaining to sexual activity should talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Article provided by Greg Smith and Associates
Visit us at www.bestutahlawyer.com
Teacher's Guilty Plea Illustrates Subtleties In Utah's Sex Crimes Laws
Utah's laws regarding sexual conduct with minors are gradually more punative, based on the age of the minor and the conduct in question. For victims under the age of 14, most any sexual act beyond the sexual touching mentioned above is a first-degree felony.
2011-03-31
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Research explores link between asthma and smoking
2011-03-31
New research out of the University of Cincinnati suggests that being diagnosed with asthma is significantly associated with a greater risk for a lifetime history of daily smoking and nicotine dependence. The findings are reported in the online preview issue of the Journal of Health Psychology.
The article is authored by Alison McLeish, a UC assistant professor of psychology, along with Jesse Cougle, assistant professor of psychology at Florida State University, and Michael Zvolensky, a psychology professor at the University of Vermont. The study analyzed data from the ...
Being in a good mood may lead to poor memory
2011-03-31
Most people have had trouble remembering something they just heard. Now, a University of Missouri researcher found that forgetfulness may have something to do with being in a good mood. Elizabeth Martin, a doctoral student of psychology in the College of Arts and Science, has found that being in a good mood decreases your working memory capacity.
"Working memory, for example, is the ability to recall items in a conversation as you are having it," Martin said. "This explains why you might not be able to remember a phone number you get at a party when you are having a ...
US earthquake resilience needs strengthening, says new report
2011-03-31
WASHINGTON — A new National Research Council report presents a 20-year road map for increasing U.S. resilience to earthquakes, including a major earthquake that could strike a highly populated area. The report was mostly written prior to the March 11 earthquake in Japan, but the committee of experts who authored it noted that the Japanese experience is a reminder of the devastation that can occur even in a country acknowledged as a leader in implementing earthquake-resilience measures.
In recent decades, destructive earthquakes in the U.S. have only been moderate to ...
Study reveals no impact of age on outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib
2011-03-31
(WASHINGTON, March 30, 2011) – While the median age at diagnosis for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is over 60 years old and incidence increases dramatically with age,limited data are available about the long-term outcome for older patients treated with imatinib, the standard first-line therapy used to treat CML. Results from a study published today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, reveal that age does not affect response to imatinib and study investigators conclude that overall survival for CML is similar in older and younger patients treated ...
Nursing Home Abuse Doesn't Just Happen to the Elderly
2011-03-31
In January 2011, a Chicago nursing home for disabled children was cited for the death of a 14-month-old girl. According to the Chicago Tribune, this death was the 14th time Chicago care facility Alden Village North has been cited by the state for a child or teen death since 2000. State regulators discovered that Alden Village North staff waited for two days before contacting the girl's doctor, despite signs of a serious staph infection.
Once her doctor was reached, the girl was sent to the hospital. She arrived with a high fever (105.4 degrees) and a pulse of 180. A ...
Newly discovered natural arch in Afghanistan one of world's largest
2011-03-31
Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have stumbled upon a geological colossus in a remote corner of Afghanistan: a natural stone arch spanning more than 200 feet across its base.
Located at the central highlands of Afghanistan, the recently discovered Hazarchishma Natural Bridge is more than 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest large natural bridges in the world. It also ranks among the largest such structures known.
"It's one of the most spectacular discoveries ever made in this region," said Joe Walston, Director ...
Morrow Hotel Offers Close Lodging to Guests Attending Clayton State University's Spring 2011 Open House
2011-03-31
Hampton Inn Atlanta-Southlake Morrow Hotel offers convenient lodging to potential students and guests attending Spring 2011 Open House at Clayton State University (CSU). The event will take place on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 9:00am - 2:30pm. At the Spring Open House CSU's faculty, staff, and students will share detailed information about:
- Academic programs
- The admission process
- Financial aid
- On-campus housing and campus life
- Student services
Part of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is four year school offering both bachelors ...
Lack of motivation, equipment main barriers for exercise for boys
2011-03-31
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A lack of equipment and venues – and a lack of motivation even if those were available – are the main barriers to physical activity for adolescent boys, according to recently published research from a Michigan State University nursing researcher.
A study of sixth-grade boys' attitudes led by Lorraine Robbins from MSU's College of Nursing suggests an after-school physical activity program could help overcome the decrease in exercise typically seen in this age group.
Robbins' research, published in the Journal of School Nursing, identified the benefits ...
Researchers make the leap to whole-cell simulations
2011-03-31
CHAMPAIGN, lll. — Researchers have built a computer model of the crowded interior of a bacterial cell that – in a test of its response to sugar in its environment – accurately simulates the behavior of living cells.
The new "in silico cells" are the result of a collaboration between experimental scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Biology in Germany and theoretical scientists at the University of Illinois using the newest GPU (graphics processing unit) computing technology.
Their study appears in the journal PLoS Computational Biology.
"This is the first time ...
Perimeter Hotel Offers Close Lodging to Fans Attending WestleMania at Georgia Dome
2011-03-31
Sheraton Atlanta Perimeter Hotel North, located near Dunwoody, GA, offers convenient accommodations to fans attending WestleMania XXVII. Hosted by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the event will take place at 6:30pm on Sunday, April 3 at Georgia Dome. Spectators can witness WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends as they take center stage at this exciting show.
WestleMania XXVII match-ups and features include:
- The Streak vs. The Game
- WWE Championship Match: John Cena vs. The Miz
- World Heavyweight Championship Match: Edge vs. Alberto del Rio
- The Viper vs. Straight Edge ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Twenty years on, biodiversity struggles to take root in restored wetlands
Do embedded counseling services in veterinary education work? A new study says “yes.”
Discovery of unexpected collagen structure could ‘reshape biomedical research’
Changes in US primary care access and capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cardiometabolic trajectories preceding dementia in community-dwelling older individuals
Role of ELK3 in ferroptosis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Team of Prof. Woo Young Jang Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KU Anam Hospital wins the Best Paper Award from the Korean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation announces recipients of inaugural Keith Terasaki Mid-Career Innovation Award
The impact of liver graft preservation method on longitudinal gut microbiome changes following liver transplant
Cardiovascular health risks continue to grow within Black communities, action needed
ALS survival may be cut short by living in disadvantaged communities
No quantum exorcism for Maxwell's demon (but it doesn't need one)
Balancing the pressure: How plant cells protect their vacuoles
Electronic reporting of symptoms by cancer patients can improve quality of life and reduce emergency visits
DNA barcodes and citizen science images map spread of biocontrol agent for control of major invasive shrub
Pregnancy complications linked to cardiovascular disease in the family
Pancreatic cancer immune map provides clues for precision treatment targeting
How neighborhood perception affects housing rents: A novel analytical approach
Many adults report inaccurate beliefs about risks and benefits of home firearm access
Air pollution impacts an aging society
UC Davis researchers achieve total synthesis of ibogaine
Building better biomaterials for cancer treatments
Brain stimulation did not improve impaired motor skills after stroke
Some species of baleen whales avoid attracting killer whales by singing too low to be heard
Wasteful tests before surgery: Study shows how to reduce them safely
UCalgary researchers confirm best approach for stroke in medium-sized blood vessels
Nationwide, 34 local schools win NFL PLAY 60 grants to help students move more
New software developed at Wayne State University will help study chemical and biological systems
uOttawa study unveils new insights into how neural stem cells are activated in the adult human brain
Cystic fibrosis damages the immune system early on
[Press-News.org] Teacher's Guilty Plea Illustrates Subtleties In Utah's Sex Crimes LawsUtah's laws regarding sexual conduct with minors are gradually more punative, based on the age of the minor and the conduct in question. For victims under the age of 14, most any sexual act beyond the sexual touching mentioned above is a first-degree felony.