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My ex gave me an STD - is that a crime?

Although we don’t have any information about this on our website, I did some research for you and found some information that may be helpfil - but I suggest you confirm it with an attorney.  In some states, intentionally transmitting an STD can be a crime, in other states, it may be a crime only if the STD is HIV / AIDS, and still other states count on civil remedies (such as a lawsuit) to protect people from the intentional transmission of an STD.  Individuals can knowingly transfer an STD onto their partner in acts of consented sex, as well as in cases involving sexual assault and rape. Although I am not an expert in the laws of [STATE], I found this chart on another website (http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/crime-pe…) that lists the states that allow the criminal prosecution of the intentional transmission of an STD.  WomensLaw.org is not affiliated with this website and can’t vouch for its accuracy. It says that in STATE, [FILL IN IF IT SAYS THERE IS PROSECUTION OR NOT] but I can’t say for sure that this is accurate - this is why you may want to call your local police department, sheriff’s department, or district attorney’s office. You can access contact information for your local sheriff’s department, here: LINK. Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations page, here: http://hotline.womenslaw.org/info/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1039. You may find that they have information that is helpful to you.

In addition to the possibility of criminal prosecution, you may want to ask an attorney if a victim may be able to sue for an STD infection in your state if the victim alleges that the defendant intentionally transmitted an STD (such as perhaps suing for battery, negligence, or the intentional infliction of emotional distress or another type of lawsuit). A civil action is different from a criminal prosecution because the victim is the plaintiff and directly sues the defendant (as compared to a criminal action, where it is the state suing the defendant). A civil action may allow a victim to recover damages for things such as medical bills and pain and suffering.

To find out what all of your legal options are, you may want to speak with a lawyer. This part of our website provides contact information for a lawyer referral service, as well as free/low-cost legal aid services in your area: LINK

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