Michael M. v. Superior Court of Sonoma County (1980)
- Docket
- 79-1344
- Decided
- 1980-01-01
Summary
Question: Did California's statutory rape law unconstitutionally discriminate on the basis of gender? Conclusion: No. In a plurality decision, the Court held that the law did not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, noting that "young men and young women are not similarly situated with respect to the problems and the risks of sexual intercourse." The Court found that the state had a strong interest in preventing "illegitimate pregnancy." The Court noted that "[i]t is hardly unreasonable for a legislature acting to protect minor females to exclude them from punishment. Moreover, the risk of pregnancy itself constitutes a substantial deterrence to young females. No similar natural sanctions deter males."