Caitlyn vs. Bruce

[rangerrebew]

This is a question I am asking in all sincerity since this is an untested legal area.  Please give honest replies.  Can Caitlyn Jenner be sent to prison for something Bruce Jenner did, i.e., kill someone in a car accident.  It would seem if the answer is yes, sex change changes nothing anywhere.  If no, its a great way to get out of going to prison, getting rid of debt, etc.

Thanks.

[EC]

Short answer - Yes. Caitlin has a new legal identity, but the old one still applies for any crimes/debts/etc run up by Bruce.

It's exactly the same as someone using a stolen identity, just without the extra penalties for fraud.

[jmyrlefuller]

I'm no lawyer, but I would think—at least in the eyes of an impartial jury—that Bruce Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner are the same conscious being. The name and gender are different, but the person is still the same.

Really, it's not much different from a woman getting married and taking her husband's name (so heteronormative, I know!). It still wouldn't absolve her of any crimes she committed while single.

[mountaineer]

Absolutely. It will be interesting to see how much Bruce has to pay to get out from under this fatal car accident.

[truth_seeker]

First he hasn't yet been charged. Second it could be a minor charge. Third nothing has changed except name and clothing.

But fourth, the basic question, in the eyes of the law you would remain the same person, even if eventually body arts get mutilated.

[EC]

I got curious enough to ask a friend of mine who has completed the legal transition. It is actually part of the documents change and one reason why it takes so long. Each document altered to read female instead of male (in my friend's case) came with a full background check as part of the deal - she got dinged for several unpaid tickets from 15 years ago, and had to pay them.

Not saying it is like that in EVERY State, but it was her experience.