Teacher Arrested for Sexual Relations With Teenager
A teacher arrested on April 11 was accused of repeatedly having sexual relations with a former Sacramento student in 2017. According to the El Dorado Sheriff’s Office, the former student told police that the encounters took place over a six month period at the teacher’s home in Cameron Park. When it happened, the teacher was employed by the Sacramento Natomas Pacific Pathways Charter School where he taught Spanish. The court set the teacher’s bail at $100,000.
Details About the Teacher Arrested in El Dorado
The teacher arrested on Thursday was identified as Jason Bourdett, 34, a resident of Cameron Park. He was employed by El Dorado High School at the time of his arrest. The teacher’s current status was not elaborated upon in a statement by the school’s principal, Matthew Barnes. It is known that the teacher has been placed on administrative leave by the school. Current students at El Dorado High School have expressed feelings of shock. One, Jordan Cobb, said that Bourdett was a good teacher who tried to encourage his students. The student went on to say the lack of red flags means that it is not something that is always obvious. Parents of El Dorado High school students expressed relief that the teacher no longer has access to students.
The Former Student
The former student at the Sacramento Natomas Pacific Pathways Charter School has not been identified by authorities. According to police reports, the former student said the relationship began in 2017 when she was only 17 years old. After an investigation concluded, no other allegations or evidence of this behavior with others was found.
Statutory Rape
Under California Penal Code 261.5, a person who engages in sexual relations with another person under the age of 18 can be charged with statutory rape. It is considered a crime even if the minor initiated it or if the act was consensual. Statutory rape may result in a misdemeanor or felony charge. Several factors are used to determine how the offense will be charged. The age of the person who was raped is a prominent factor.
Damages in a Statutory Rape Case
Damages can be claimed from the perpetrator in a statutory rape case. Survivors can bring a case to a civil court for monetary damages. If the defendant is found guilty of criminal charges in the case, this can be used to the survivor’s benefit in civil proceedings. This is due to the higher burden of proof in the criminal case. The damages can be obtained from the defendant’s assets. In some cases, a person’s financial status may be insufficient. However, a third party may be involved in the case. The third party may be a person or entity that should have provided adequate supervision and protection but fell short. A school, for instance, is obligated to adequately screen employees and provide daily supervision to anticipate such problems. If the school fails to do this, they may be expected to pay damages to the rape survivor.
Specific Types of Damages
Damages may be compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages hold the defendant responsible for the expenses related to injuries the plaintiff suffered. These may include medical expenses, pain and suffering and emotional harm associated with the incident. Punitive damages are different. They do not compensate the survivor for a monetary loss but rather are used to punish the defendant.
Related Articles by Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer Ed Smith
Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento sexual assault attorney. Students attending school have the right to a safe environment. When a teacher abuses the trust of their students, the instructor and the school should be held responsible for damages. For my compassionate, free and friendly advice, give me a call at (916) 921-6400. Outside the area code, the toll-free number is (800) 404-5400. Some prefer to contact me using our online form at AutoAccident.com.
I have helped the residents of Sacramento and Northern California obtain compensation for their injuries since 1982. This includes areas such as wrongful death, all kinds of motor vehicle collisions and brain injuries.
I belong to both the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. The first rewards lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client with membership. The second offers membership to those who provide legal excellence to clients.
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Ed Smith: Teacher Arrested for Sexual Relations With Teenager
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