If all goes as planned and this bill passes, Virginia child rapists will get mandatory life in prison. According to the Richmond Times Dispatch:
The Senate Courts of Justice committee Monday passed a bill that would eliminate judicial discretion in the sentencing of adults convicted of the rape of children and sentence anyone convicted of the crime to a mandatory life sentence in prison.
Current law allows a judge to impose a sentence ranging from five years to life for the crime committed against a child under the age of 13.
Senate Bill 436, sponsored by Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg passed the GOP-controlled committee on an 8-7 vote. Due to the need to assess its potential financial impact, it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
I am trying to figure out why I should hate this bill. An 8-7 split tells me that it’s controversial. I am trying to find the controversy. I cannot do it. It sounds like a smart plan to me. Child rapists are the lowest of all the low life. We certainly don’t want them back out on the streets–EVER.
I would be very interested to hear the opposing “lawyerly” views on this one.
Elena, I’m not sure but I think this is because of one of two things.
Its a -R bill so Senate -Ds will try and kill it.
or
Senate -D’s are not comfortable with a life sentence for sex offenses against children and the req’d carve out for those under 18 to conform with SCOTUS ruling..
Only thing I can think of.
@marin if they make sure there is no statutory rape in that bill and spell out specifically that it doesn;t pertain to that, then I cant see anything wrong with it.
Its supposed to be a law concerning the adult rape of a child less than 13 years old.
Those people should be awakened by a slow beating. Every night they should be cognizant that the next day starts with pain.