Zoophilia and Bestiality Laws
Under jurisdictions across the United States, there are laws against sexual intercourse or even interaction between certain individuals and certain species.
In general, these laws attempt to protect those who otherwise would not be able to or would not know to protect themselves.
Although these laws have been challenged and rewritten to follow particular court precedents, most jurisdictions have laws against bestiality and intercourse involving an animal.
These laws vary depending on the state, defining different offenses along various lines.
Most states originally outlawed bestiality, or zoophilia, as it is also known, under original sodomy laws.
When they were first passed, sodomy laws were intended not to only ban homosexual relationships, but also to rule out sexual interactions that where so-called "crimes against nature".
Although these laws were struck down by the courts, as many of their definitions were vague and potentially hazardous to privacy laws, certain ideas were not removed from the legal systems of the states, and current bestiality laws were passed to protect the basic rights of animals.
In many states, bestiality is considered a misdemeanor.
This means that a person may still be placed on a sex offender list due to the nature of the crime, but will suffer a lighter sentence that may not include any prison sentences or fines to excessive amounts.
Additionally, these penalties will not encroach on felony-based penalties regarding voting or political participation.
In other states, bestiality is considered a felony.
In these states, this sex act is pursued to the full extent of the law, as many in these states see the crime as both sexual deviancy and animal cruelty.
According to the laws in these states, this crime may be coupled with severe fines and potentially jail sentences, depending on the circumstances of that particular case.
For some states, there may not be laws against zoophilia, but there may be some additional charges attached to the act.
To learn more, contact a sex crime attorney.
In general, these laws attempt to protect those who otherwise would not be able to or would not know to protect themselves.
Although these laws have been challenged and rewritten to follow particular court precedents, most jurisdictions have laws against bestiality and intercourse involving an animal.
These laws vary depending on the state, defining different offenses along various lines.
Most states originally outlawed bestiality, or zoophilia, as it is also known, under original sodomy laws.
When they were first passed, sodomy laws were intended not to only ban homosexual relationships, but also to rule out sexual interactions that where so-called "crimes against nature".
Although these laws were struck down by the courts, as many of their definitions were vague and potentially hazardous to privacy laws, certain ideas were not removed from the legal systems of the states, and current bestiality laws were passed to protect the basic rights of animals.
In many states, bestiality is considered a misdemeanor.
This means that a person may still be placed on a sex offender list due to the nature of the crime, but will suffer a lighter sentence that may not include any prison sentences or fines to excessive amounts.
Additionally, these penalties will not encroach on felony-based penalties regarding voting or political participation.
In other states, bestiality is considered a felony.
In these states, this sex act is pursued to the full extent of the law, as many in these states see the crime as both sexual deviancy and animal cruelty.
According to the laws in these states, this crime may be coupled with severe fines and potentially jail sentences, depending on the circumstances of that particular case.
For some states, there may not be laws against zoophilia, but there may be some additional charges attached to the act.
To learn more, contact a sex crime attorney.
