# Possible defense in To Catch a Predator type sting?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-defense-in-to-catch-a-predator-type-sting/600143>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 19, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-defense-in-to-catch-a-predator-type-sting/600143 "2011-10-19T14:30:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-defense-in-to-catch-a-predator-type-sting/600143/21 "2011-10-19T18:37:15Z")

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> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> Pete Townshend was caught doing that and [used that defense](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Townshend#Operation_Ore_investigation_and_police_caution). He got away with a caution eventually and from my vague recollection the general public believed him, although considered him a dumbass for doing it.

Townshend was writing his autobiography, and is generally believed by people who have listened to the album _Tommy_.

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**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-defense-in-to-catch-a-predator-type-sting/600143/22 "2011-10-19T19:02:44Z")

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> [@chrisk](#):
>
> Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Are these other crimes strict liability too, do you know?
> 
> I was just responding to **RNATB** ’s reference to strict liability statutory rape being applicable here.

Very few crimes, IIRC, are strict liability. After all, one man’s restraining duct tape is another man’s electrical gaffer tape. That sort of thing is a judgement call - does the judge/jury believe these were restraint tools? What else are they? Luring - when the transcript is read, does a judge/jury reasonably believe that’s what happened? It’s a judgement call.

Strict liability would be something like stat rape or sexual assault - did your body make contact with the following areas of her body and was she underage? Possession of drugs - does the stuff you possess test positive for forbidden substances in the lab? Even then, note “possession” is a debatable concept. Speeding - did a radar clock you going over the posted limit? DUI - did a breathalyzer record you over the explicit limit?

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