(CNN) The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned a felony rape conviction in a ruling last week because the woman was intoxicated by her own will during the alleged assault. Though advocates say the ruling comes as no surprise, it underscored a need to change the current Minnesota law that governs rape charges when alcohol is involved. Minnesota law criminalizes as "criminal sexual conduct in the third degree" sexual penetration by a person who "knows or has reason to know that the complainant is ... mentally incapacitated." Interpreting the statute, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled, "The legislative definition of 'mentally incapacitated,' as set forth in (the law), does not include a person who is voluntarily intoxicated by alcohol." "Consequently, we reverse the decision of the court of appeals and remand to the district court for a new trial."

Source: CNN March 31, 2021 00:00 UTC