Title: State v. Patel (concurring)

State: washington

Issuer: Washington Supreme Court

Document:

State v. Patel (Mitel) No. 82649-8 MADSEN, C.J. (concurring)—I agree with the lead opinion that a defendant may be convicted of attempted rape of a child, even though the “child” is a fictional character, so long as the State proves the defendant took a substantial step toward intercourse with a person he believed was within the protected age range. However, I write separately because the lead opinion says that “a defendant who attempts to have sex with a person he believes is underage but is actually an adult may not be convicted . . . because the victim actually existed and factual impossibility is not a concern.” Lead opinion at 10 (footnote omitted). This is internally inconsistent and, indeed, undermines the rationale that otherwise supports the lead opinion. No. 82649-8 2 AUTHOR: Chief Justice Barbara A. Madsen WE CONCUR: Justice Charles W. Johnson