united-states criminal-law internet
Age of Consent Laws: can a person get prosecuted for a false accusation without evidence? (Read details, hypothetical example)
<p>Hypothetical example: </p>

<p>If two adults are having an online conversation about a romantic relationship and person A accuses person B out of nowhere and says "it seems like you had sex with a minor", and person B replies "impossible, she is 24 years old. I follow the law", could person B get investigated for this online conversation even though he is completely innocent? What consequences could follow from person A's false accusations? </p>

<p>Investigated?  Of course.  I don't even think the police need "reasonable suspicion" to start an investigation, and person A has made the accusation.</p>

<p>Prosecuted? Perhaps, but unlikely.  The prosecutor would need to be convinced, but I'm sure there are some stupid prosecutors.</p>

<p>Convicted? Probably not.  There would need to be <em>something</em> that looked like evidence, and this is the principle line of defense against false accusations.</p>

<p>Other consequences?  B could lose their job from this false accusation; employers don't have to follow criminal standards of evidence.</p>
