My 19yr old son is incarcerated for carnal knowledge, does anyone know of our best defense? Will character references help, witnesses?

A very good lawyer is the best thing.

Next on what evidence, see if your attorney can find fault in the evidence.

And in the end try to work out a plea to a lesser sentence.

Now I am saying this hopeing what you are saying is that he and his girlfiend had sex and she would be perhaps 17 or so.

If he is 19 and the girl is about 14 or 15, then sorry they should throw the key away, since a older boy should not be dating a girl that young.

I don't know what carnal knowledge is, however from Fr Chuck's response, I assume it means sex with a minor.

Some defences:
Depends on many factors such as did he know this person, how old was this person.

Some possible defences are that you thot she was 14/15/16/17/18, whatever the age of consent is in your area. If the age of consent is 18 lets say, and she told her son how she was drinking at a bar, then that might be a way to prove he thot she was at least 21 (in the usa).

Or if this girl said she had a drivers license, your son would assume she was at least 16.

Again I have assumed what it is, since carnal knowledge is a religious term for sexual intercourse, and it is not illegal in the US between two consenting adults unless one is being paid for it, and that is another issue.

So I have assumed since he was 19 that it must have been with a minor


Each state has its own laws, for example in GA ( where I was more involved with the legal system) a the age of concent was 17.

And the seriousness of the crime depends on the age difference a 18 year old with a 16 year old would not be as serious as a 40 year old with a 16 year old. But normally anytime the girl is under 15 the courts took it more seroius. But each state has its own laws.


If I have misunderstood your question please clarify and I am sorry

Hi,
I fully agree with getting a lawyer.
Please don't show up in court without one. A lawyer can advise you on what you need, and how to proceed, and he/she will be there in court with you.
I do wish you the best, and good luck.
Happy New Year.