Rape
A crime at common law defined as unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman by a man without her consent and by means of fear or force.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
The crime of having sexual intercourse with another person without consent. Common law defined rape as unlawful intercourse by a man against a woman who is not his wife by force or threat and against her will. However, modernly, states have broadened the definition so that marriage, gender, and force are not relevant -- lack of consent is the crucial element. Statutory rape occurs when the victim is under the legal age of consent even if the intercourse is consensual.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:23 pm
