Can criminal charges be filed against someone for transmitting an STD?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can criminal charges be filed against someone for transmitting an STD?

Not HIV/AIDs

Asked on August 10, 2011 Pennsylvania

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

It depends on the circumstances. While other STDS (not HIV/AIDS) are only rarely fatal (though note: untreated gonerhea(sp?) or syphillis(sp?) can--and have in the past--caused death over time), they still can cause illness, disability, disfigurement, etc. Moreover, whether something more generally is an assault of any kind depends less on the injury done to the victim and more on the intent--trying to shoot someone with a gun, after all, is still assault with a deadly weapon and/or attempted murder, even if you miss. So it is with a disease--if you knowingly tried to give someone an STD, or even potentially did so with reckless or gross indiffernce to the consequences (knew you had it, just didn't care), that could result in criminal charges. On the other hand, if you didn't know you had it, or thought you had taken adequate precautions, and especially if you had told your partner, so they made a choice to take the chance, it should not result in criminal liability.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption