Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Lawrence Taylor, a Hall of Fame former linebacker for the New York Giants, faces rape and prostitution charges in a case reportedly involving a 16-year-old girl, CNN reported.

Here in Boston, the Massachusetts law dealing with inducing a child under 18 to have sexual intercourse, mandates a prison sentence of not more than 3 years if the child is over 16. The Massachusetts Statutory Rape Law applies to children under 16, and carries a penalty of up to life in prison. The law applies to defendants in cases where a child is under 12 and there is more than 5 years age difference between the victim and defendant or when a child is 12 to 16 years of age and there is more than a 10-year age difference. Anyone facing a Massachusetts statutory rape charge should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

In this case, Taylor, 51, was charged with third-degree felony rape in New York, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with someone younger than 17, as well as third-degree patronization for allegedly paying the underage girl $300 to have sex, according to authorities. The rape charge carries a penalty of up to 4 years in prison while the patronizing charge is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

Taylor's attorney said the 10-time All-Pro linebacker denies the charges and will fight them. Taylor appeared in court, where he was not required to enter a plea, and was freed after posting $75,000 bail.

Taylor was arrested in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Ramapo New York, about 30 miles northwest of New York City.

During his pro football career, from 1981 to 1993, Taylor was one of the most punishing tacklers and pass rushers in the game. Known as "L.T.," he was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams. He was twice suspended from the NFL for substance abuse violations during a well-chronicled battle with cocaine addiction. Most recently, he appeared as a contestant on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."