44 other states have passed some flavor of a Jessica’s law. I guess the Democrats are more interested in curbing gun rights than protecting children from repeat sexual offenders. Or maybe they didn’t like the bill because it was proposed by a Republican. Libby Szabo - Arvada?
This law has been introduced several times before. Why is this bill only introduced when Dems have the majority?
In 2009, State Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, and State. Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, sponsored the bill to put child sex offenders in prison for at least 20 years. It failed in its first committee.
In 2007, State. Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch and State Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, sponsored the bill which called for a minimum of 15 years in prison. It also failed in its first committee. At that time, the cost of housing additional prisoners was cited as a reason the bill failed.
The bill failed this time around because it did not have Colorado support. None of the proponents were from Colorado
I have heard some say a minimum 25 year sentence could impact the reporting of some sexual assaults by victims who know their attacker. When those people in that child's life know about really harsh sentences like this, they could be more likely to discourage that person from coming forward.
I am not so sure I am in favor of a "one size fits all" law. I think you need to look at the individual.
One point to consider with most criminals, they commit crimes many times before getting caught. So locking away sexual predators for a long time many help out many potential victims.
Mandatory sentences are considered one of the reasons crime has fallen since the 1960's.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
