Do you think a state should prosecute a teacher for having sex with students if the students are of legal age?

yes, parents trust the school and the teachers to take care of their kids, not have sex with them.

Yes, it's conflict of interest. It's the same as most work places have the rules against coworkers in relationships. You think about what happens if there's a bad break up, or an 18 year old pregnant by a teacher. The grounds for sexual harassment then become more open as well.

Yep, since the teacher is in a position of trust and responsibility. It's similar to the problem with a boss sleeping with an underling, but even more so as teachers have to be responsible and in control

Grey area. While I see no crime against children, as these were consenting adults, and the law recognizes this is not a crime against children, she still broke the law concerning teachers and student relationships, and I do believe that part of the law should be upheld, because it is a reasonable one. Don't screw your students. Don't diddle the teachers. Period.

If it were not a law, she would not be facing charges, just some serious professional repercussions. But, it is, and she knew it, and yet she still made the CHOICE to break it. Choices have consequences, and regardless of whether or not she agrees with the law, she is responsible for her actions within the law.

5 years in jail is harsh, but stripping her of her teaching credentials and maybe 1 month per count sounds a bit more reasonable.

I think she's probably unfit to be in the position of a teacher, but if it was consenting sex between people who were all adults then I don't believe it should be a legal matter.

It doesn't matter if the student is of legal age, that is a clear abuse from an authority figure deserving of prosecution. I also think a cop should be prosecuted if bribed into having sex so someone can avoid getting a ticket. Doesn't anyone believe in practicing sexual restraints in the workplace for an ethical ideal?

If a school wants to deal with that or have a policy that's one thing, but an 18 year old can do what they want. I understand that there are power dynamics and it may not be entirely consensual, but if it's not consensual, there are other ways to deal with that.

This is the same as a boss hitting on an employee. The teacher has a position of power that puts the student in an uncomfortable position. They absolutely should not. It is not a problem with the sex. It is a problem with the advancements of the teacher and the student feeling obligated or else it might affect their marks/performance.

If they're over the legal age then the teacher should not be prosecuted. There's some ethical issues here but it's not a question of legality.

Not a legal issue if the student is of age and consenting. Also the student shouldn't be mentally challenged and should be in the right frame of mind as this does bring on a legal issue.

All issues of morality aside, it's a huge waste of money. She probably deserves to be fired, but doesn't deserve prison, but whatever she deserves, the people of Texas don't deserve to have their tax money wasted on a trial and five years worth of prison. Prison is expensive.

Jail time, no. Lose her job, definitely. There is no professional excuse for what this woman did: she abused a position of power and violated the code of ethics. But... what she did is grounds for legal dismissal from her job and legal revocation of her teaching license. Not grounds to lock her up.

Like others have said, jail time is ridiculous. Should she lose her job? Definitely. It's unethical to have an inappropriate relationship with your students. The imbalance of power, the abuse of authority, taking advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable position because of the dynamics of a student/teacher relationship...it has the potential to be devastating. Trust me...it's really wrong to do that to your students.

It creates a situation that opens up to predatory people.

Public school teacher, yes, private school teacher, no.

Quite simply, the teacher is a public appointed position of power. For many other public positions, it is also a criminal act when they have sex with someone who is their charge as a matter of their employment. Police officer, sheriffs, jail guards, prison employees, and all sorts of medical staff just as examples.

But that is also why I draw the line at private school teachers (even though prison employees and medical staff might be private employees). The public nature of the position of power is one of the critical reasons I think it should be illegal to sleep with your direct students.

There is also a secondary aspect of damage to the profession and to the public school system that comes into play; a level of damage that can rise to needing criminal deterrence.

That said, I think you still need to limit to students under current or recent direct supervision. That's why "damage to the profession" can only be a secondary aspect.

If a high school teacher sleeps with a student that teacher never taught and never supervised in an extracurricular, then it should not be criminal. A student at another school (e.g. elementary teacher sleep with a former student who is now 18)? Not criminal. So, if I were to craft this law (and such laws are often phrased this exact way), I would say a current or former student of the teacher who currently attends the school they teach at.
And it still should not be a sex crime.

I feel the teacher should be punished by the school, but not have to face legal charges.

Yes I say it is illegal. It is not appropriate for a person in trust and to educate to be having sex with her current students. Now if they were out 4 years then no big deal. Just not appropriate!

HELL NO! That woman is fulfilling fantasies and should be made a saint! XD

Given that teachers are in a strong position of authority over their students, even if they're of age I'm ok with the teacher being prosecuted. I'd really rather the state prosecute all teachers who has inappropriate relationships with students then allow some teachers to get away with using their power to influence or coerce a student. If you're really that into your student just wait the couple months until they've graduated.

I'm not entirely sure about this one. On one hand, yes, they are of legal consenting age, but she had authority over them as a teacher and that part is what isn't right with the situation.