Can someone please explain the Jessica Law to me? I won't go into why.

Jessica's Law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically, it mandates huge mandatory minimum sentences for sexual assault on a child under 12.

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Originally Posted by stevetcg

Jessica's Law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically, it mandates huge mandatory minimum sentences for sexual assault on a child under 12.

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I don't what you consider to be a "huge" mandatory sentence for sexual assault on a child under 12. Twenty-five years for raping a child? That's huge?

That having been said it's my understanding that it's a Florida law which other States have reworded and passed (sort of the boilerplate example of what other States have written) and there are attempts to make it Federal Law. It's controversial in many States and on the Federal level. The family of the kidnapped, raped and murdered girl fought long and hard to get this particular law passed in memory of their daughter, sister and grandchild.

The provisions in Florida are: ".. [it] requires twice yearly reregistration by sexual predators; provides criminal offenses for failing to reregister, failing to respond to address verification, failing to report or providing false information about sexual predator, & harboring or concealing sexual predator; requires electronic monitoring for certain offenders placed on conditional release supervision, etc. Amends FS."

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I don't what you consider to be a "huge" mandatory sentence for sexual assault on a child under 12. Twenty-five years for raping a child? That's huge?

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Also of note, "In Florida, sexual battery or rape of a child less than twelve years old is punishable only by life imprisonment with no chance of parole"

I live in Florida so that's the line I was most commenting on. Got to love that word 'only'.

I wanted to thank everyone who posted the issue regarding this has be resolved. Thanks again.