Opinion ID: 1633874
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: To engage in

Text: Williams complains that the trial judge erred by failing to instruct the jury on the meaning of the phrase to engage in. He asserts that the jury was not properly instructed on the whole law of the case. Williams claims that the term should be defined as it is used in the offense of unlawful transaction with a minor, KRS 530.064(1), and as mentioned in Young, supra . The trial judge denied the request indicating that such an issue would be a matter for the jury to determine. The language of KRS 530.064(1) states: A person is guilty of unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree when he knowingly induces, assists, or causes a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, or in illegal controlled substances activity other than activity involving marijuana, except those offenses involving minors in KRS Chapter 531 and KRS 529.030. (Emphasis added.) This statute specifically distinguishes itself from offenses involving sexual exploitation of minors. Consequently, Young has no application here. Moreover, in order to be involved in a transaction with a minor, there has to be some mutuality of action. KRS 531.310, however, is intended to punish the use of minors in a sexual performance regardless of the child's assent to being exploited. There was no abuse of discretion in the decision by the trial judge not to define the phrase.