Opinion ID: 1332179
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: r.l.c.'s as applied due process challenge

Text: R.L.C.'s second argument is that if the Court does not adopt his statutory construction of the crime against nature statute, then that statute is unconstitutional as applied to him. R.L.C. does not contend his asserted right is fundamental. Therefore, the question we must answer is whether there exists a legitimate government interest in penalizing the type of conduct involved in this case. See Washington v. Glucksberg, 521 U.S. 702, 728, 117 S.Ct. 2258, 138 L.Ed.2d 772 (1997); Rhyne, 358 N.C. at 180-81, 594 S.E.2d at 15. When determining whether a rational basis exists for application of a law, we must determine whether the law in question is rationally related to a legitimate government purpose. See Glucksberg, 521 U.S. at 728, 117 S.Ct. 2258; Rhyne, 358 N.C. at 180-81, 594 S.E.2d at 15. That is, the government's objective must be legitimate, and the means used by the government must be reasonable to serve that legitimate goal. See Glucksberg, 521 U.S. at 728 n. 21, 117 S.Ct. 2258 (Our inquiry, however, is limited to the question whether the State's prohibition is rationally related to legitimate state interests.). It is not necessary for courts to determine the actual goal or purpose of the government action at issue; instead, any conceivable legitimate purpose is sufficient. See U.S.R.R. Ret. Bd. v. Fritz, 449 U.S. 166, 179, 101 S.Ct. 453, 66 L.Ed.2d 368 (1980) (stating that there is no requirement that a legislative body articulate its reasons for enacting a statute). One plausible legitimate purpose for penalizing the activity of R.L.C. and O.P.M. at issue is the government's interest in preventing sexual conduct between minors. R.L.C. argues against a broad application and enforcement of this governmental interest, asserting such actions would be improper under Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558, 123 S.Ct. 2472, 156 L.Ed.2d 508 (2003). Lawrence held unconstitutional a Texas sodomy statute used to convict two adult men engaged in private, consensual homosexual conduct. Id. at 578, 123 S.Ct. 2472. In doing so, the Supreme Court of the United States found that the statute in question furthers no legitimate state interest which can justify its intrusion into the personal and private life of the individual. Id. However, Lawrence is distinguishable from the instant case by the very language of Lawrence. The Court noted in Lawrence that [t]he present case does not involve minors. Id. This juvenile case does involve minors. Besides the goal of promoting proper notions of morality among our State's youth, the government's desire for a healthy young citizenry underscores the legitimacy of the government's interest in prohibiting the commission of crimes against nature by minors. Like vaginal intercourse, non-vaginal sexual activity carries with it the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. See Ctrs. for Disease Control & Prevention, HIV/AIDS Update (Dec. 2000). (Numerous studies have demonstrated that oral sex can result in the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). (emphasis omitted)). Moreover, many minors, especially those in their most formative years, are unable to make reasoned decisions based upon their limited life experience and education whether to engage in these sexual activities. Not only do these decisions physically affect and potentially endanger the minors, there may be psychological implications as well. We hold that preventing sexual conduct between minors furthers a legitimate government interest and application of the crime against nature law in cases such as the one sub judice is a reasonable means of promoting that legitimate interest.