The Law

The law is very clear on sexual assault--and it doesn't differentiate between strangers and acquaintances.

Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1406, Sexual Assault, reads: "An individual intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual intercourse (penetration of the vulva, penis or anus with any part of the body or with an object) or masturbatory contact with the penis or vulva, or sexual contact (oral contact with the penis, vulva or anus) with any person WITHOUT CONSENT of such person."

WITHOUT CONSENT is defined as the following in Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1401:

"The victim is coerced by the immediate use of force of threatened use of force against a person or property.

"The victim is incapable of consent by reason of mental disorder, drugs, alcohol, sleep or any other similar impairment of cognition and such condition is known or should have been reasonably known to the perpetrator.

"The victim is intentionally deceived as to the nature of the act.

"The victim is intentionally deceived to erroneously believe that the person is the victim's spouse."

Sexual Assault is a class 2 felony. Sentencing can range from a minimum of 5 1/4 years to life imprisonment, depending on the exact nature of the crime (for example: if a drug was used on the victim or serious injury was inflicted).