Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

To be classified as predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, the offender must be over what age?

1. 15

2. 16

3. 17

4. 18

The correct answer is: 17

To classify as predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, the requirement is that the offender must be over the age of 17. This distinction is important because it emphasizes the legal perspective surrounding the age of the offender in relation to the protections afforded to minors. The intent of the law is to provide specific safeguards for children against predators who are considered mature enough to know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior towards a minor. This age threshold also reflects the legal standards that categorize certain acts as predatory, which involves a perpetrator taking advantage of a child’s vulnerability. By setting the age of 17 as the minimum, the law aims to create a clear boundary that identifies adults who are accountable for their actions when exploiting younger individuals. Understanding this legal framework is essential for law enforcement officers when assessing cases involving allegations of sexual assault against minors.