State v. Elton
Utah Supreme Court
657 P.2d 1261 (1982)
Relevant factsFree
Elton (defendant), a 19-year-old, had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl who, he claimed, told him she was 18. The State (plaintiff) charged him with felony statutory rape, and the trial court ruled the crime was one of strict liability, barring Elton from even testifying about his belief regarding the girl's age. The jury convicted him, and he appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a defendant's mistaken belief that a victim was 16 years of age or older is a defense to a charge of statutory rape.