It seems like every month we read online about new changes taking place in regards to sex offense laws or sex offender requirements. These crimes are considered by many to be the worst of the worst, and the people accused of committing them are often thought to be unfixable.
Particularly when sex crimes are committed against children, disgust runs high. These offenses carry the darkest stigma of all.
According to the LA Times, Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (San Diego) has proposed further changes to state laws regarding sexual offenses against children. He suggests life sentences without the possibility of parole are appropriate for forcible sex crimes against people under the age of 18 when there are aggravating circumstances. Such circumstances would include kidnapping or torture.
When the circumstances are considered “minor” he wants the sentence minimum to be increased to 25 years from 15 years in prison. And those convicted of any sex offense against a child under 14 would face lifetime electronic monitoring.
Despite people’s desire to keep the children of California safe, the proposed law changes are said to have a tough road ahead. Precisely because cracking down on crime when prison overcrowding is high and funding is low gains little support.
Laws like those that govern sex offenses must walk a very fine line. While the offenses are largely seen as despicable, the penalties can’t cross the line of being “cruel and unusual” for the offense at hand. An emotional response to that statement would be “nothing is too cruel or unusual for sex offenders”, but the law is not based in emotional responses.
When you are facing charges of a sex offense, you need a tough legal advocate now more than ever. Charges like these can cause you to lose the support of people you considered your friends and even your family. Call today to discuss the case against you.
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Related: More details on sex offenses in other states.