What Happens if I Am Charged with Statutory Rape (§ 14-27.24) in North Carolina?

You just found out you’re being investigated for statutory rape. Maybe you thought the relationship was legal. Maybe you didn’t know her real age. Maybe you were lied to.

None of that matters now.

You’re facing felony charges that could send you to prison for decades. Your name will be on the sex offender registry for life. Your career, your family, your future—everything is at risk.

Here’s the brutal truth about statutory rape charges in North Carolina under N.C.G.S. § 14-27.24—and why you need to understand exactly what you’re up against before it’s too late.

What Statutory Rape Means Under North Carolina Law

Statutory rape in North Carolina is defined as vaginal intercourse with someone under specific age thresholds, regardless of consent. The law creates different categories based on the victim’s age and the age gap between parties.

Under N.C.G.S. § 14-27.24, prosecutors can charge statutory rape in these situations:

• Victim under 13, defendant at least 12 and at least 4 years older (Class B1 Felony)
• Victim 13-15, defendant at least 6 years older (Class B1 Felony)
• Victim 13-15, defendant more than 4 but less than 6 years older (Class C Felony)

The key element that destroys defendants: This is a strict liability offense. Prosecutors don’t have to prove you knew the victim’s age. They don’t have to prove criminal intent. They only need to prove:

1. Vaginal intercourse occurred
2. The victim was under the age threshold
3. The age gap requirements are met

“But she told me she was 18” isn’t a defense. “She looked older” isn’t a defense. “She had a fake ID” isn’t a defense. North Carolina law makes you strictly liable regardless of what you believed about her age.

Even if the encounter was completely consensual, even if she pursued you, even if you genuinely believed she was of legal age—you can still be convicted of a Class B1 or Class C felony.

Penalties and Consequences for Statutory Rape

The sentencing for statutory rape depends on which category applies to your case:

Class B1 Felony (most serious cases):

• 144 to 483 months in prison (12 to 40+ years depending on criminal history)
• Lifetime sex offender registration
• Supervised probation upon release with extensive restrictions
• No contact with minors including potentially your own children

Class C Felony (lesser cases):

• 44 to 231 months in prison (3.5 to 19+ years depending on criminal history)
• Lifetime sex offender registration
• Supervised probation with strict monitoring
• Restricted internet and housing options

But prison time is just the beginning. The collateral consequences destroy everything:

Sex Offender Registration: Your name, photo, address, and conviction details become public record. Employers, neighbors, landlords—everyone can see it with a simple online search.

Employment devastation: Most employers won’t hire registered sex offenders. Professional licenses get revoked. Career advancement becomes impossible.

Housing restrictions: You can’t live within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, or playgrounds. Finding housing becomes a nightmare, especially in urban areas.

Family destruction: Custody rights get terminated. Divorce proceedings use your conviction against you. Children face harassment because of their parent’s criminal record.

Educational barriers: Colleges can reject applications. Graduate programs become inaccessible. Student loans may be denied.

Immigration consequences: Non-citizens face deportation and permanent inadmissibility to the United States.

The registration requirement alone can make life unbearable..

Defense Strategies That Can Work

These charges feel hopeless, but experienced defense attorneys know how to fight back. Here’s how we approach statutory rape cases:

Challenge the Evidence of Intercourse: Prosecutors must prove vaginal intercourse actually occurred. We examine physical evidence, medical records, and witness testimony to challenge this element. Sometimes accusations are fabricated or exaggerated.

Attack the Age Determination: Birth certificates, school records, and identification documents must be authenticated. We verify the victim’s actual age and birth date to ensure prosecutors can meet the specific age gap requirements under the statute.

Negotiate Reduced Charges: In some cases, we can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce statutory rape charges to lesser offenses that don’t require sex offender registration. The difference between a Class B1 felony and a misdemeanor is the difference between decades in prison and a chance at rehabilitation.

Challenge Prosecutorial Discretion: While North Carolina has removed most age-gap exceptions, prosecutors still have discretion in charging decisions. We present mitigation evidence about the relationship circumstances, age proximity, and other factors that might influence prosecution decisions.

Examine Investigation Procedures: Law enforcement must follow proper procedures when collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Violations of constitutional rights can lead to evidence suppression or case dismissals.

What to Do Right Now

Here’s what you need to do immediately:

Stop all contact with the alleged victim. Any communication can be used as evidence against you. Don’t try to explain, apologize, or get her to recant. Complete no-contact is essential.

Don’t talk to the police or investigators. Tell them: “I want a lawyer. I’m invoking my right to remain silent.” Anything you say will be used to build the prosecution’s case.

Preserve evidence that supports your defense. Screenshots of dating apps, text messages showing age representations, witness contact information. Don’t delete anything, but make sure helpful evidence is protected.

Don’t discuss the case with anyone except your attorney. Conversations with family, friends, or coworkers aren’t protected by attorney-client privilege.

Contact an experienced sex crimes defense attorney immediately. These cases move fast once charges are filed. Early intervention can make the difference between conviction and dismissal.

Understand the urgency. Every day you wait is a day prosecutors get stronger while your defense gets weaker. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and opportunities for early resolution are lost.

We know how North Carolina prosecutors handle statutory rape cases. We understand the strict liability nature of these charges and how to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Fight for Your Future

At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we defend people facing the most serious criminal charges in North Carolina. We know what’s at stake when you’re charged with statutory rape—your freedom, your future, your ability to live a normal life.

We’re not just lawyers—we’re your defense against prosecutors who want to put you in prison for decades and brand you as a sex offender for life. We understand there’s a right way and a wrong way to handle these charges, and we know how to fight when everything is on the line.

These charges have already started destroying your life. Don’t let them get worse by trying to navigate the system alone.

Call us now for a completely confidential consultation. We’ll review the facts of your case, explain your options, and start building the aggressive defense you need. There’s no obligation, but time is critical.

Let us help you take control and fight for your future.