LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Supreme court decides it is okay for teachers and students to have sex as long as the student is 18.
The ruling is in response to an appeal by David Paschal, an Elkins High School teacher found guilty of having consensual sex with an 18-year-old student.
State attorneys argued the law protects high school girls and boys from sexual advances by teachers. But the high court writes today regardless of how it feels about Paschal’s conduct, the court can not abandon its duty to uphold the rule of law.
Therefore, Paschal will have his convictions reversed and dismissed.
“These teachers should know better because there is a difference when you are being a teacher and a friend, than somebody that is having sex with your students,” said parent Denise Colson.
It is unclear whether anyone in the legislature will attempt to rework the law. A spokesperson for Governor Mike Beebe says it is way too early to talk about any kind of response from the State Capitol.
“If the child wants to have sex when they are 18 with their teacher, that is fine. They are adults at 18, so they might as well do what they want to do,” said parent Amy Dardenne.
The ruling is in response to an appeal by David Paschal, an Elkins High School teacher found guilty of having consensual sex with an 18-year-old student.
State attorneys argued the law protects high school girls and boys from sexual advances by teachers. But the high court writes today regardless of how it feels about Paschal’s conduct, the court can not abandon its duty to uphold the rule of law.
Therefore, Paschal will have his convictions reversed and dismissed.
“These teachers should know better because there is a difference when you are being a teacher and a friend, than somebody that is having sex with your students,” said parent Denise Colson.
It is unclear whether anyone in the legislature will attempt to rework the law. A spokesperson for Governor Mike Beebe says it is way too early to talk about any kind of response from the State Capitol.
“If the child wants to have sex when they are 18 with their teacher, that is fine. They are adults at 18, so they might as well do what they want to do,” said parent Amy Dardenne.
