Lawrence Taylor Teen Rape Case: Probation Plea Deal
What is the price to pay for being caught in a motel room after having sex with a 16-year-old prostitute? For Lawrence Taylor, it will be only probation.
Taylor, who was known for making big plays on the gridiron for the New York Giants, defied what looked like long odds to avoid jail time. The alleged Lawrence Taylor rape case ended with him pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges, one count of soliciting a prostitute and a second count of sexual misconduct for having sex with a woman without consent. Taylor was not accused of using force on the woman, but because she was 16 she was not legally capable of giving consent. Taylor is expected to receive six years probation. There will also be a hearing to determine his specific sex offender status, ESPN reports.
The Lawrence Taylor rape case began after he was charged with third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. The charge of third-degree rape alone included a possible sentence of up to four years. At the time it looked that it would be highly unlikely that he would avoid jail time. Rockland County prosecutor Arthur Ferraro said that he offered a plea deal last year that included six months in jail and registration of a sex offender, which defense attorney Arthur Aidala rejected.
Taylor admitted under oath that he had sex with a 16-year-old, ESPN reports. "She told me she was 19," Taylor said to the judge. The age of consent in New York is 17. However, ignorance of a persons age is not a valid legal defense against statutory rape in New York as well as other jurisdictions.
Taylor led the Giants to Super Bowls in 1987 and 1991 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Related Resources:
- Giant great Lawrence Taylor pleads guilty to lesser charges in teenage rape case
- Statutory Rape (FindLaw)
- Rape - Criminal Law (FindLaw)
