Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Rape of Underage Girl

What steps can I take to prosecute a man who raped my girl friend when she was 14 in Mexico? She currently is a Virginia resident. The man is a citizen of the U.S. and most likely lives in the U.S. I recall my girl friend saying she had an address and or name. So the rape occured about 7 or 8 years ago. Please help.


Asked on 7/30/03, 11:10 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Rape of Underage Girl

Your girlfriend is the one, not you, who should be deciding whether she wants to pursue this. If so, she can contact the local prosecutor's office and arrange to speak with one of their representatives to determine whether any actions can still be pursued at this late date against this alleged abuser.

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Answered on 7/31/03, 10:13 am
Scott Nolan The Law Offices of Scott C. Nolan

Re: Rape of Underage Girl

Quite aside from the difficulties of prosecuting a case that old that occured in a foreign country, private citizens don't prosecute crimes; the police and public prosecutors do.

In any case, it is your girlfriend's choice whether to pursue the matter. There are many reasons a young woman may choose not to pursue such a case and anything so personal must be hers to decide.

If she chooses to pursue this, she should contact her local Police Department.

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Answered on 7/31/03, 1:40 pm


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