State v. Martinez
Supreme Court of Utah
52 P.3d 1276 (2002)
Relevant factsFree
Michael Martinez (defendant), age 19, had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl and was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Before trial, Martinez sought to introduce evidence that the girl had told him she was 17, arguing mistake of age should be a defense. The trial court denied the motion, and a jury convicted him. The court of appeals affirmed, holding the legislature intended strict liability and had expressly barred a mistake-of-age defense.
IssueFree
Whether courts impose strict liability for a crime when the plain language of the statute, legislative intent, and legislative history all indicate the legislature intended that result.