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Welcome to Femsubmissionsex
The Law ^& BDSM
Information



Below you will find a short write up concerning BDSM and the law. After that you will find definitions to charges that could be brought against you if anything should happen. Then we have also provided you with links to every US State Official Web Sites. If you should find you are in a bind and need some help you can click on the link pertaining to the state you are in. Caution: it may take some time to actually find what you are looking for, so if you need immediate help, please don't feel afraid or ashamed to call your local court house, police or lawyer.









Table of Contents



  1. Write Up
  2. The Law, S/M and You
  3. Definitions
  4. Links to US State's Web Sites and Find a Lawyer in your State









Legal Binds


***NOTE:
NOTHING HEREIN IS OFFERED NOR SHOULD IT BE TAKEN TO BE LEGAL ADVICE!!! IF YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE YOU THINK YOU NEED LEGAL GUIDANCE, SEEK THE ADVICE OF A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN THE STATE IN WHICH YOU RESIDE.***

You may well be aware of the three tenants of BDSM: safe, sane & consensual. People, whether into BDSM or not, require these things to engage in a meaningful and healthy relationship. Two of the most important qualities of a BDSM relationship are trust and communication between the partners. These are essential, because they ensure that the relationship begins, and remains, in a safe, sane & consensual realm.

The purpose here is to explain a little bit about the legal ramifications of the BDSM lifestyle. Perhaps, as a top, you have worried about what should happen if the sub were to become vindictive and tell stories or complain to authorities that what occurred was not consensual. Perhaps as a submissive, you have worried about what you do if a Dominant takes things beyond the agreed upon boundaries. While we all like to think that everyone engages in safe, sane and consensual behavior and that they incorporate trust and communication into the relationship, we have all heard horror stories where that was not the case.

The most important thing is to remember that you
must know what your boundaries are and to impart them to your partner. Similarly, you must be able to elicit from your partner what their boundaries are. Finally, you must honor those boundaries, because technically, to move beyond them is to commit criminal offenses.

An
assault is committed when the fear of offensive bodily contact is raised in another person. You do not need to actually cause harm to have committed an assault, and your intent to intimidate or cause harm is not relevant. Rather, the focus is on whether the other person was reasonably fearful that such bodily contact would occur. A battery is causing offensive bodily contact with another without their consent. Again, the focus is on the recipient and if touching their arm is offensive to them, you may be in trouble! To hold someone in a particular area without means of escape is considered kidnaping, and to bind someone could also be considered such. Un-consentual sex is considered rape or aggravated sexual assault.

To be sure, the law, much like the lifestyle, recognizes that the above actions occur between two consenting adults. Thus, "consent" is a defense to most civil offenses. Criminal offenses, however, are considered to have been committed against the State, not the alleged victim, so consent may do less to keep you out of trouble.

If you have been harmed by someone, whether or not it is a BDSM relationship; if they have hit you or otherwise threatened or hurt you - you may very well have rights under the law to seek redress, both criminally and civilly. As a submissive, the State bestows upon you certain rights that do not disappear merely because you choose to live a non-mainstream lifestyle. No means No, no matter what you do in your spare time, and the laws are designed to protect that.

The thing to take away from this reading is to know that communication is the key to safe, sane and consensual. If you don't talk about it, you can't ensure your safety or the safety of your partner, and you can't ensure that any act is consensual. Listen to your partner, ask questions, and be mindful of your partner's answers. Whether top or bottom, be sure that your partner does the same of you - if they don't care what pleases you, why bother with them?

Written Anonymously

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The below is actually written by an Attorney. He writes of the above information and also includes a little more detail on other issues the are important to anyone in the D/s lifestyle. Even though it appears that he refers to only S/M play, it will also holds true for D/s activities.


The Law, S/M and You
by Spencer Bergstedt, Attorney at Law
© A. Spencer Bergstedt 1994


This is a copy of "The Law, S/M and You" by A. Spencer Bergstedt, an Attorney at Law in Seattle, Washington. It is reprinted here with the author's permission http://www.spencelaw.com/
[email protected]

2133 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone 206-269-0657
Fax 206-448-6357

Mr. Bergstedt is an officer in the
National Leather Association: International and the director of the NLS-1 Law Project.


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The law has historically had a large role in how players go about doing S/M play. From police raids of both yesteryear and today to the effect that participation in S/M might have on issues like child custody, the law has always had an interest in that which society deems abnormal or immoral.

This article is designed to highlight some of the areas of the law that you as a leatherman or leatherwoman should be aware of. The actual laws of course will vary from state to state, county to county and city to city, but, hopefully, this article will help point you in the direction of finding more information about the laws where you live.

Law is divided into two categories - criminal and civil. Both have an impact on S/M.


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Criminal
There are two aspects of criminal law that the S/M player should keep in mind: private and public activity. Private refers to actions that may take place in your home or other private place and public refers to public places, like bars, events, and outdoors.


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Private There are a number of things that one should be aware of as the law relates to S/M in private. First and foremost is that the (minor) possibility always exists that you may be suspected of committing a crime if it becomes known that you engage in S/M and the cops take an interest.

Types of crimes that you could potentially be charged with include (but are not limited to):

Assault
Indecent Exposure
Rape
Kidnapping
False Imprisonment
Reckless Endangerment
Possession of illegal weapons or substances (e.g., possession of needles for temporary piercing may be illegal in your state)

And in some states - the very act of sex and/or the presence of certain sex toys in a certain quantity may leave you open to prosecution under state laws that prohibit the sale of sex toys.

At the outset I should note that (depending on where you live) it is highly unlikely that you would ever have a problem with the cops. But the possibility does exist


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Assault

Technically, assault is defined as a nonconsensual touching of a person by another person. Therefore, if scenes are consensual, the likelihood of actual prosecution is slight. By that I mean that the police might arrest you to harass you BUT the prosecutors office would likely decide against filing charges against you because the "victim" consented to the activity. Since prosecutors are in the business of sending criminals to jail, if the "victim" insists there was no crime, the prosecutor generally won't push it.

HOWEVER - many state's - including my state of Washington - have enacted domestic violence statutes which can change police and prosecutor protocol. Generally under these types of law, police and prosecutors are encouraged to dismiss the "victim's" statements about not wanting to press charges and move forward with the case. The law is designed to protect repeat victims of domestic violence/abuse who may be reluctant to press charges against their abusers. More often than not, police are instructed to arrest both parties if a domestic violence call is made.

Assault can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. (There are 4 degrees of assault) E.g. the use of weapons, the infliction of great bodily harm, and the intent to inflict such great bodily harm. Depending on what you do with your play, you may very quickly jump into the felony category.


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Indecent Exposure

In Washington, this is a misdemeanor crime unless you expose yourself to someone under the age of 14, in which case it becomes a felony.
You must expose yourself in an open and obscene manner to have committed this crime. Here it has been held sufficient to charge you with indecent exposure if you are in your own house/apartment and someone can see in to your house/apartment.


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Rape

Forced and/or nonconsensual sexual intercourse or contact which includes any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anus, with any object; touching of one person genitals to the anus or mouth of another; any touching of the sexual/intimate parts of another for sexual gratification.

Rape is a felony crime.
Consent is a defense to this crime.


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Kidnapping/Unlawful Imprisonment

These are crimes of restraining another person without their consent and are felonies (in Washington - when in doubt, check your local and state laws).


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Sodomy

Sodomy laws are still on the books in many states and the law generally applies to both gays and heterosexual sex that involves either anal-genital contact or oral-genital or oral-anal contact.


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Other Areas of Criminal Law

Another area that questions come up in is for Pro Dommes. It is quite clear that the main focus of law enforcement in harassing or arresting Pro Dommes is prostitution and child pornography - NOT S/M. If you are a Pro Domme and you get raided or arrested - chances are the cops are going to bust you for prostitution. However, most prostitution laws limit the definition to engaging in sexual conduct in exchange for a fee. So as long as you're not doing that, you'll likely be OK. This does not mean that the cops won't arrest you to harass you - simply that the prosecutor won't be able to charge you with much of anything. HOWEVER, if arrested, you should get an attorney immediately.

Prostitution is generally a misdemeanor.


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What to do if the Cops come knocking on my door

Stay calm.

You do not need to consent for the cops to come into your house. You can force them to come back with a search warrant. HOWEVER, if they believe someone is in immediate harm, they have probable cause to enter without a warrant.

Explain calmly to the cops what the noise was all about - E.g., just good loud sex.

If you are arrested, DON'T say anything. You are not under any obligation to make a statement without an attorney present. Keep track of the officers names, badge numbers, and whether or not they read you your right.

Call a lawyer immediately.

Remember, if they book you, you'll likely have to remove all your piercing.

Stay Calm.


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What to do in case a scene become nonconsensual or abusive

Stay calm.

Call the Police.

Call an attorney for yourself. The legal system can be hard to negotiate and the last thing you want is for the cops to treat you like the criminal.

Do not shower or clean up if there has been physical damage or rape.
Physical evidence - cuts, bruises, semen, blood, hair or skin samples, and even clothing fibers can be very important evidence. Take pictures if you can

Get medical assistance if you need it. This should be done before step 2 if you need immediate assistance. Plus, the hospital can help get a hold of the police.

Tell the truth about what happened.

Contact a friend who can either stay with you or that you can stay with.


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Public Law

What we're talking about here is what happens when you leave your house, in bars, at events, on the street
The same laws that are discussed above still apply, but now we have some new things to contend with as well.

Liquor Control Board Rules
Impersonating and officer (for you uniform enthusiasts
Carrying weapons

As to the crimes discussed above the main thing to remember is this - when you are out in public, not everyone is aware of the negotiations you and your partner have engage in and therefore, what you know to be consensual may not look very consensual from the outside. That 3rd party may decide to call the cops because what you are doing doesn't look consensual.


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Weapons

If you carry a gun, make sure you have a concealed weapons permit and a licensed and registered weapon.
If you carry a knife, check to see what size blade your local law allows you to carry.


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Uniforms

You may not impersonate a police or fire official. Basically what this means is don't wear an exact replica of a law/fire enforcement agency whose jurisdiction you are in and do not ever hold yourself out to be a police officer/fire fighter. Do not put any real or fake weapons in a gun holster if you are out and about. You might also choose to wear an overcoat/jacket when going from car to bar.


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Liquor Control Board

Please don't put our friendly bar owners out of business by doing something that violates the liquor control board rules. These rules are much stricter than you might imagine and the penalty's for violation are stiff.

In Washington, it is unlawful in a bar for staff to expose their nipples, any portion of pubic hair, anus, cleft of the buttocks, vulva or genitals.

To encourage or permit anyone on the premises to touch, caress or fondle the breasts, buttocks, anus or genitals or another person. (this rule has been used to fine a bar owner for two customers slow dancing together where the one person rubbed his hand over his partner's ass)

To permit anyone in the bar to wear a device which simulates any of the areas not allowed to be exposed. (This is why we don't see dildos involved in fantasy;s at contests here)

To permit anyone to perform acts of :

intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, oral copulation, flagellation (flogging), touching, caressing, etc.

UNLESS - the performance/entertainer is on a stage at least 18 inches in height and at least 6 feet from the nearest patron.

Definitely check the laws of your own state, county and city as well as administrative rules propagated by the state liquor control board to find out what's legal and not where you live.


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Civil Law and S/M

Civil law applies to things that are not criminal in nature. It covers everything from contracts to divorce to personal injury suits. Here we'll cover.

Using civil law if something goes wrong

Are S/M contracts legally binding?

What can we do to protect ourselves?


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If Something Goes Wrong

If something goes wrong with a scene or the relationship and nonconsensual activity/violence/abuse happen the victim can take two courses of action:

1. Talk to the police, file a report and press for criminal charges; and/or
2. File a civil lawsuit for damages.


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Civil Suite

Civil lawsuits can be an excellent way of seeking compensation for damages inflicted by someone who misuses S/M as an excuse for violence. Damages can be had for things like:

actual physical damage; emotional damage; psychological impairment; assault; false imprisonment etc..

These cases should be handled only with the advice and assistance of an attorney.


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Anti-Harassment/Protective Orders

To be used if there is a threat of immediate danger/harm, protective orders are a means to keep someone away from you. They can be obtained either through superior or district court.


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Contracts

Contracts for sexual services are not legally binding. However, if yours is a service-oriented contract, it might be enforceable.

In any event, I believe written contracts are a great way to clearly communicate what it is that you've negotiated with your relationship or a scene. The contract could potentially be useful in a situation where one player steps over the line of what was negotiated and engages in nonconsensual abusive behavior.

Be prepared that if you want to make it legally binding that you must follow principles of contract. If you are unclear about what these are - you might wish to consult with a lawyer.


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Protections

Wills

Living Wills

Powers of Attorney

Authorizations for hospital visits

Instructions on what to do with Your S/M stuff if you get sick, hurt or die.

**NOTE: With all of these documents it is important to execute them before serious injury or illness sets in as you may then be termed incompetent to execute them.


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Wills

A Will is a document by which you designate how you want your property distributed upon your death; who will act as your executor; whether you wish to be buried or cremated; if you desire funeral services; establish certain types of trusts; and establish a guardian for your child(ren).

If you die without a Will your estate will be divided according to the statute related to descent and distribution. What this statute says is that the first person in priority is your surviving legal spouse, then your children. If you have neither, then it goes to your parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, etc.. Unless they can't find anybody, in which case it goes to the state.

The only way you can designate where your property goes is by doing estate planning. A Will, joint property agreement, payable on death accounts, beneficiary designations in life insurance policies, and/or a trust are all ways that you can leave your estate. HOWEVER, a Will should almost always be used in conjunction with any of the other types of estate planning methods to ensure that certain details are handled.


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Living Wills

These are technically referred to as Directives to Physicians. This document sets forth your desires to not be kept on life support systems if you are terminally ill. Provision can also be made for specific types of medical treatments and, although a right to die law currently only exists in Oregon, you can make your philosophy known in the document that assisted death might be an option for you once it becomes legally viable.


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Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a document in which you designate someone else to act on your behalf. They can be for specific acts like selling a house or more general. In terms of estate planning, we generally talk about 2 different - but similar - types.


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Future Durable Power of Attorney

This POA goes into effect when the person executing the document (the principal)

becomes either incapacitated or incompetent and last during the period of incapacitation or incompetency.

The POA gives the attorney-in-fact the ability to handle business and financial affairs for the principal and can include making medical decisions.

The POA also nominates the attorney-in-fact to act as guardian if a guardianship should become necessary.


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Future Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

This is similar to the document above except that it is directed specifically toward health care and authorizes health care professionals to give information about you to your attorney-in-fact and authorizes your attorney-in-fact to make medical decisions for you.


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Authorization for Hospital Visits

This document ensures that the person you designate can visit you in the hospital.


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Instructions for what to do with my toys and leathers

This becomes critical if you are not out to your biological family about your S/M. Give a trusted friend or family member instructions on what to do with your toys and leathers in the event of a medical emergency or death.

The other way to handle these issues - if you are out or you don't care what your family thinks - is to include instructions for disposition of these items in your will.


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Dissolution/Child Custody

S/M play can impact on divorces and child custody actions as well. In the event that you are getting divorced and have children and the terms won't be mutually agreed upon, you should get the advise of an attorney if you think your spouse will use your S/M against you.

Similarly, in child custody modifications, you should hire an attorney at assist you if your ex brings up the issue of S/M as a reason to limit your access to your children.

Should you have any questions not answered in this article, you can contact me at:
[email protected]

A. Spencer Bergstedt


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Definitions



Assault

From Merriam Webester Dictonary

1.as·sault
Pronunciation: &-'solt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English assaut, from Old French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin assaltus, from assalire
Date: 14th century

1 a : a violent physical or verbal attack
1 b : a military attack usually involving direct combat with enemy forces
1 c : a concerted effort (as to reach a goal or defeat an adversary)

2 a : a threat or attempt to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm on a person (as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner) that puts the person in immediate danger of or in apprehension of such harm or contact -- compare
BATTERY
2 b :
RAPE


As Defined in FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

as-sault [e-'sôlt]
Old French assault, literally, attack, ultimately from Latin assultus, from assilire to leap (on), attack

1: the crime or tort of threatening or attempting to inflict immediate offensive physical contact or bodily harm that one has the present ability to inflict and that puts the victim in fear of such harm or contact (compare
battery)

2: the crime of assault accompanied by battery

specif
: "sexual assault" in this entry
(called also assault and battery)


From Merriam Webester Dictonary

Aggravated Assault
Function: noun
Date: 1925

a: an assault that is more serious than a common assault: as a : an assault combined with an intent to commit a crime

b : any of various assaults so defined by statute.


As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

:Aggravated Assualt a criminal assault accompanied by aggravating factors: as

a : a criminal assault that is committed with an intent to cause or that causes serious bodily injury esp. through the use of a dangerous weapon

b : a criminal assault accompanied by the intent to commit or the commission of a felony (as rape)


Assault with Intent: a criminal assault committed with the intent to commit another specified crime

Example: assault with intent to rob
Example: assault with intent to kill


Civil Assault: an assault considered as a tort rather than as a crime


Criminal Assault: an assault considered as a crime rather than as a tort

Note: An assault may be both a criminal assault and a civil assault.


Indecent Assault: intentional offensive sexual contact that does not amount to sexual intercourse or involve penetration and that is committed without consent of the victim and without the intent to commit rape

: a criminal assault that is classified as a felony and involves the infliction of serious bodily injury by the use of a dangerous weapon


Aexual Assault sexual contact usually that is forced upon a person without consent or inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (as a doctor) in a position of trust

(see also
rape)

Note: Sexual assault in its most serious forms (often classified as first degree sexual assault) involves nonconsensual sexual penetration. In its less serious forms it may be the equivalent of statutory rape.


Aimple Assault: a criminal assault that is not accompanied by any aggravating factors (as infliction of serious injury or use of a dangerous weapon)

Note: Simple assault is usu. classified as a misdemeanor.


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Battery

From Merriam Webester Dictonary

Battery bat·tery
Pronunciation: 'ba-t(&-)rE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ter·ies
Etymology: Middle French batterie, from Old French, from battre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 1531

1 a : the act of
battering or beating
1 b : an offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consent -- compare
ASSAULT

2 a : a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical purposes
2 b : the guns of a warship

3 : an artillery unit in the army equivalent to a company

4 a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect
4 b : a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish electric current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current <a flashlight battery>

5 a : a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together :
SET, SERIES <a battery of tests>
5 b : a usually impressive or imposing group :
ARRAY

6 : the position of readiness of a gun for firing

7 : the pitcher and catcher of a baseball team


As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary


Battery ['ba-te-re, -tre]
Old French batterie beating, from battre to beat, from Latin battuere

Tthe crime or tort of intentionally or recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily harm (as by striking or by administering a poison or drug) that is not consented to by the victim


Aggravated Battery: criminal battery that is accompanied by aggravating factors: as

a : criminal battery that causes or is intended to cause serious bodily injury esp. through the use of a dangerous weapon

b : criminal battery committed on a protected person (as a minor or a police officer)

Note: Aggravated battery is usually classified as a felony.


Sexual Battery: intentional and offensive sexual contact and esp. sexual intercourse with a person who has not given or (as in the case of a child) is incapable of giving consent

broadly: forced or coerced contact with the sexual parts of either the victim or the perpetrator

Note: This is a broad definition of the offense. The specific elements of this crime vary from state to state, and some states use more narrow definitions.


Simple Battery: criminal battery that is not accompanied by aggravating factors (as a dangerous weapon)

Note: Simple battery is usu. classified as a misdemeanor.


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Indecent Exposure

As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

Indecent Exposure: the exposing of one's private body parts (as the genitals) either recklessly or intentionally and under circumstances likely to cause offense or affront

Note: Indecent exposure is generally classified as a misdemeanor.


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Rape



From Merriam Webester Dictonary

1. Rape
Pronunciation: 'rAp
Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin rapa, rapum turnip, rape; akin to Old High German rAba turnip, rape, Lithuanian rope
Date: 14th century
: a European herb (Brassica napus) of the mustard family grown as a forage crop for sheep and hogs and for its seeds which yield rapeseed oil and are a bird food -- compare
CANOLA

2, Rape
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): raped; rap·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin rapere
Date: 14th century

1 a : archaic : to seize and take away by force
1 b :
DESPOIL

- rap·er noun
- rap·ist /'rA-pist/ noun

3. Rape
Function: noun
Date: 14th century

1 : an act or instance of robbing or despoiling or carrying away a person by force

2 a : sexual intercourse with a woman by a man without her consent and chiefly by force or deception -- compare
STATUTORY RAPE
2 b : unlawful sexual intercourse by force or threat other than by a man with a woman

3 : an outrageous violation


Date Rape
Function: noun
Date: circa 1983
: rape committed by someone known to the victim


Gang Rape
Function: noun
Date: 1968
: rape of one person by several attackers in succession
- gang-rape transitive verb


Statutory Rape
Function: noun
Date: 1898
: sexual intercourse with a person who is below the statutory age of consent


As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

Rape
: unlawful sexual activity and usu. sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usu. of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception

(see also statutory rape)

Note: The common-law crime of rape involved a man having carnal knowledge of a woman not his wife through force and against her will, and required at least slight penetration of the penis into the vagina. While some states maintain essentially this definition of rape, most have broadened its scope esp. in terms of the sex of the persons and the nature of the acts involved. Marital status is usu. irrelevant. Moreover, the crime is codified under various names, including first degree sexual assault sexual battery unlawful sexual intercourse, and first degree sexual abuse.


Rape Shield Law: a law that prohibits or limits use of evidence (as testimony) regarding prior sexual conduct of an alleged rape victim


Statutory Rape: rape consisting of sexual intercourse with a person beneath an age (as 14 years) specified by statute

Note: Many state statutes also specify a minimum age of the perpetrator or an age differential (as at least four years) between the perpetrator and the victim. Consent of the victim and belief that the victim is of the age of consent are usu. considered immaterial. Statutory rape is now codified under various names, such as rape in the second degree rape in the third degree unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and criminal sexual conduct in the second degree.


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Kidnapping

From Merriam Webester Dictonary

Kidnap kid·nap
Pronunciation: 'kid-"nap
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -napped or kid·naped /-"napt/; -nap·ping or -nap·ing
Etymology: probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
Date: 1682
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom

- kid·nap·pee or kid·nap·ee /"kid-"na-'pE/ noun
- kid·nap·per or kid·nap·er noun



As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

Variants: or Kidnaping: an act or instance or the crime of seizing, confining, inveigling, abducting, or carrying away a person by force or fraud often with a demand for ransom or in furtherance of another crime


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False Imprisonment

From Merriam Webester Dictonary

1. False
Pronunciation: 'fols
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): fals·er; fals·est
Etymology: Middle English fals, from Old French & Latin; Old French, from Latin falsus, from past participle of fallere to deceive
Date: 12th century

1 : not genuine <false documents> <false teeth>

2 a : intentionally untrue <false testimony>
2 b : adjusted or made so as to deceive <false scales> <a trunk with a false bottom> c : intended or tending to mislead <a false promise>

3 : not true <false concepts>

4 a : not faithful or loyal :
TREACHEROUS <a false friend>
4 b : lacking naturalness or sincerity <false sympathy>

5 a : not essential or permanent -- used of parts of a structure that are temporary or supplemental
5 b : fitting over a main part to strengthen it, to protect it, or to disguise its appearance <a false ceiling>

6 : inaccurate in pitch <a false note>

7 a : based on mistaken ideas <false pride>
7 b : inconsistent with the facts <a false position> <a false sense of security>

8 : threateningly sudden or deceptive <don't make a false move>

synonym see
FAITHLESS
- false·ly adverb
- false·ness noun


Imprison im·pris·on
Pronunciation: im-'pri-z&n
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French emprisoner, from en- + prison prison
Date: 14th century
: to put in or as if in prison :
CONFINE
- im·pris·on·ment /-m&nt/ noun


False Imprisonment
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
: imprisonment of a person contrary to law


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Reckless Endangerment


From Merriam Webester Dictonary
Reckless reck·less
Pronunciation: 're-kl&s
Function: adjective
Date: before 12th century

1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences

2 :
IRRESPONSIBLE <reckless charges>

synonym see
ADVENTUROUS
- reck·less·ly adverb
- reck·less·ness noun


Endanger en·dan·ger
Pronunciation: in-'dAn-j&r
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -dan·gered; en·dan·ger·ing /-'dAnj-ri[ng], -'dAn-j&-/
Date: 1509
transitive senses : to bring into danger or peril
intransitive senses : to create a dangerous situation <driving to endanger>
- en·dan·ger·ment /-'dAn-j&r-m&nt/ noun



As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

Reckless Endangerment: the offense of recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to another person

Note: Reckless endangerment is a misdemeanor but sometimes rises to a felony, as when a deadly weapon is involved.

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Possession of Illegal Weapons or Substances

From Merriam Webester Dictonary

Possession pos·ses·sion
Pronunciation: -'ze-sh&n also -'se-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century

1 a : the act of having or taking into control
1 b : control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership
1 c :
OWNERSHIP
1 d : control of the ball or puck

2 : something owned, occupied, or controlled :
PROPERTY
3 a : domination by something (as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
3 b : a psychological state in which an individual's normal personality is replaced by another
3 c : the fact or condition of being self-controlled

- pos·ses·sion·al /-'zesh-n&l, -'ze-sh&-n&l also -'sesh-n&l or -'se-sh&-n&l/ adjective
- pos·ses·sion·less /-'ze-sh&n-l&s, -'se-/ adjective


Illegal 1il·le·gal
Pronunciation: (")i(l)-'lE-g&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal
Date: 1538
: not according to or authorized by law :
UNLAWFUL, ILLICIT; also : not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)
- il·le·gal·i·ty /"i-li-'ga-l&-tE/ noun
- il·le·gal·ly /(")i(l)-'lE-g&-lE/ adverb


Weapon weap·on
Pronunciation: 'we-p&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English wepen, from Old English w[AE]pen; akin to Old High German wAffan weapon, Old Norse vApn
Date: before 12th century

1 : something (as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy

2 : a means of contending against another


Substance sub·stance
Pronunciation: 's&b-st&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin substantia, from substant-, substans, present participle of substare to stand under, from sub- + stare to stand -- more at
STAND
Date: 14th century

1 a : essential nature :
ESSENCE
1 b : a fundamental or characteristic part or quality c Christian Science :
GOD

2 a : ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change
2 b : practical importance :
MEANING, USEFULNESS <the... bill--which will be without substance in the sense that it will authorize nothing more than a set of ideas -- Richard Reeves>

3 a : physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence
3 b : matter of particular or definite chemical constitution c : something (as drugs or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction <possession of a controlled substance> <has a substance problem>

4 : material possessions :
PROPERTY <a family of substance>

- sub·stance·less /-l&s/ adjective
- in substance : in respect to essentials :
FUNDAMENTALLY


As Defined at FindLaw.com - ref: Merriam Webester Law Dictionary

Possession pe-'ze-shen]

1: the act, fact, or condition of having control of something: as
a: "actual possession" in this entry
b: "constructive possession" in this entry
c: knowing dominion and control over a controlled substance or other contraband
d: in the civil law of Louisiana
: the detention or enjoyment of a corporeal thing
e: control or occupancy of property

2: something controlled, occupied, or owned
Example: personal possessions

Actual Possession

1 : direct occupancy, use, or control of real property
Example: had actual possession of the land despite a lack of legal title

2 : direct physical custody, care, or control of property or contraband (as illegal drugs)
Example: actual possession is not necessary to sustain a conviction -- State v. Garrison, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995)

Adverse Possession: actual possession of another's real property that is open, hostile, exclusive, continuous, adverse to the claim of the owner, often under a claim of right or color of title, and that may give rise to title in the possessor if carried out for a specified statutory period (as ten years)

also: the method of acquiring title by such possession

Civil Possession: in the civil law of Louisiana: possession that exists by virtue of an intent to be the owner of a property even though one no longer occupies or has physical control of it

Constructive Possession

1 : possession that exists by virtue of a right (as by title) rather than direct occupancy or control
2 : the knowing ability and sometimes intent to exercise dominion and control over something (as illegal drugs) either directly or through others

Hostile Possession: possession (as in adverse possession) that is antagonistic to the claims of all others (as a record owner) and that is carried out with the intention to possess the property exclusively

Notorious Possession: possession (as in adverse possession) that is so conspicuous that it is generally known by people in the vicinity of the property and so gives rise to a presumption that the owner has notice of it

Precarious Possession in the civil law of Louisiana: possession of property that is exercised by another (as a lessee) with the permission of or on behalf of the owner


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Well i sure hope all the above has helped you. Always remember to talk (communicate) with your partner about everything. Even if it's part of life's unpleasent topics, the need to make prior arrangement in case of your death is important and more so if you are involved in the D/s lifestyle.

As always if you feel that you have anything to add, please fell free to e-mail me at
[email protected] and i'll be more than happy to look at your suggestions. *smile*







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