Pire -
I can only sit back and half-laughingly laud your empathy towards convicts/criminals. I believe I am not being judgmental here. Your take on this case, and the very mention of the incident where you let the minor who hit your car escape from law make me believe that you tend to act on emotions. I am of the belief that one should let the law comes into action wherever and as much as possible rather than taking actions based on your intuitions. Laws are made to HELP people. Hence they should be used at maximum (wherever and whenever possible)

The US jurisprudence is one of the "strongest" and "stringent" among its counterparts across the globe. [Please note the double quotes to emphasize that these two words are complimentary here]. It does not impose its laws upon people only once/when they commit a crime/offense. It's transparent and readily available for information unlike some of the laws in other countries. Laws on sex with minors and rape are no exceptions. As a responsible citizen, one should be aware of the protective seals and traps the system of law offers. There is a very little or no room for compassion in the US jurisprudence as I see. And that is the very reason for its strength.