Carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse between a male and female in
which there is a degree of penetration of the woman's vagina by the man's
penis. It is a necessary legal element of rape, child molestation, or consensual
sexual relations with a female below the age of consent ("statutory rape").
State laws vary, but the age of consent is usually between 14 and 18.
The folowing is an example of a state statute involving carnal knowledge:
"Rape and forcible carnal knowledge:
- Whoever of the age of seventeen years or older unlawfully ravishes or carnally knows a child
under the age of eleven is guilty of a capital felony, punishable as provided in 775.082.
- Whoever ravishes or carnally knows a person of the age of eleven years or more, by force and against his or her will, or unlawfully and carnally knows and abuses a child under the age of eleven years, shall be guilty of a life felony, punishable as provided in 775.082.
- It shall not be necessary to prove the actual emission of
seed, but the crime shall be deemed complete upon proof of penetration
only."
