Last week, Chinese billionaire Richard Liu was in Minneapolis to attend a business program at the University of Minnesota. While in Minnesota, Mr. Liu was arrested on suspicion of rape. Officers originally described the accusation against Liu as sexual assault, then later characterized it as rape, a potential felony if charged. Liu was released the following day and he immediately returned to China. Officials have not yet decided whether or not to file charges.

Rape in Washington

 In the state of Washington, there are two classes of rape: first degree and second degree. Both first-degree and second-degree rape are class A felonies and either can carry a sentence of life in prison and up to a $50,000 fine. Often, these penalties may be elevated if there are other assault charges, such as domestic violence, attached as well.

Rape in the First Degree

Rape in the first degree are the more serious charges and the Washington code sets forth that “a person is guilty of rape in the first degree when such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion where the perpetrator or an accessory:

• Uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon or what appears to be a deadly weapon; or
• Kidnaps the victim; or
• Inflicts serious physical injury, including but not limited to physical injury which renders the victim unconscious; or
• Feloniously enters into the building or vehicle where the victim is situated."

Rape in the Second Degree

There are several factors that do not amount to rape in the first degree, but an individual will be guilty of rape in the second degree when “the person engages in sexual intercourse with another person:

• By forcible compulsion;
• When the victim is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated;
• When the victim is a person with a developmental disability and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who:
  • Has supervisory authority over the victim; or
  • Was providing transportation, within the course of his or her employment, to the victim at the time of the offense;
• When the perpetrator is a health care provider, the victim is a client or patient, and the sexual intercourse occurs during a treatment session, consultation, interview, or examination; or
• When the victim is a resident of a facility for persons with a mental disorder or chemical dependency and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and has supervisory authority over the victim; or
• When the victim is a frail elder or vulnerable adult and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who:
  • Has a significant relationship with the victim; or
  • Was providing transportation, within the course of his or her employment, to the victim at the time of the offense."

Contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi

Rape is a very serious crime and in an effort to discourage crimes such as rape, legislators in Washington have imposed very steep penalties on those who commit rape. If you have been arrested for rape you need legal assistance immediately. Steve Karimi is a former prosecutor who uses his insight into the legal system to build strong defenses for those accused. He is just the criminal defense attorney that you need to beat class A felony charges. Contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today.