AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine lawmaker’s proposal to extend the statute of limitations in some sex crime cases is getting a committee review.
The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday took up Rep. Anne Haskell’s bill.
The Portland Democrat’s proposal extends from six to 10 years the statute of limitations on criminal prosecutions for crimes involving unlawful sexual touching; unlawful sexual contact; sexual abuse of a minor; and rape or gross sexual assault if the actor has authority over the victim.
Haskell says examples of a “person of authority” are a therapist, teacher, coach or minister.
Haskell asked the committee to cut out a portion of the bill that would have removed a six-year statute in civil cases. That portion would be taken up next year by another committee.
There should be no statute of limitations and no sentence is
too long.
Did you read about the case of Sharon Simone and her two sisters who were abused by their father Edward Rodgers who was head of the FBI Child Abuse program. He started sexually abusing them starting when they were 2 years old continuing through their teens.
The daughters sued him in civil court because the statute of limitations had run out for criminal prosecution. read about the case here
http://www.headwatersproductions.com/press/article5.html
Edward Rodgers was in charge of investigating cases of Child Abuse at the FBI
THE DENVER POST – Voice of the Rocky Mountain Empire
May 17, 1990
Sisters win sex lawsuit vs. dad $2.3 million given for years of abuse
By Howard Prankratz
Denver Post Legal Affairs Writer
Two daughters of former state and federal law enforcement official Edward Rodgers were awarded $2.319,400 yesterday, after a Denver judge and jury found that the women suffered years of abuse at the hands of their father.
The award to Sharon Simone, 45, and Susan Hammond, 44, followed testimony of Rodgers’ four daughters in person or through depositions, describing repeated physical abuse and sexual assaults by their father from 1944 through 1965.
Rodgers, 72, who became a child abuse expert after retiring from the FBI and joining the colorado Springs DA’s office, failed to appear for the trial. But in a deposition taken in March, Rodgers denied ever hitting or sexually abusing his children.
Yes, I have seen in the past you reference this case. I find
it disgusting and he should spend the rest of his life in prison. Please
remember that there are people from all walks of life that perform these
hideous acts, not just law enforcement.
Look, murderers, drunken drivers, etc don’t face statue of limitations and niether should any one else.
“In criminal cases, Haskell’s bill extends to 10 years the statute of
limitations on prosecutions for crimes involving unlawful sexual
touching, unlawful sexual contact, sexual abuse of a minor, rape or
gross sexual assault if the actor has authority over the victim.”
So let me get this right: if a child is sexually abused at 6-years-old, he/she must prosecute the crime bu age 16? That is not beneficial. some sex crimes are so onerous that the mind suppresses them for decades. Prosecution for sexual abuse of a minor should have NO limitations.
AND
why only concerning “rape or gross sexual assault if the actor has authority over the victim.” In the case of children ALL adults are assumed to “have authority.”
Good points # 3 Why in the world limit someone who has been harmed by another human being?
Unfortunately our level of civilization in Maine is driven by punitive emotions and
we are locked into this model for the duration until we learn the lessons it has to teach.
As a voter and taxpayer and hopefully a smart criminal justice consumer I want a model
that stops criminal behaviour . I want a model that does not create more disorder than the amount of order it gives.
Most importantly I want a model that is recognized by the majority of my species that whatever model is selected will advance the evolution of the species.
That is why I choose the Restorative Justice model.
see http://www.restorativejustice.org/university-classroom/01introduction
What is restorative justice?
Restorative justice is a theory of justice
that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal
behaviour. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that
include all stakeholders.
Practices and programs reflecting restorative purposes will respond
to crime by:
identifying and taking steps to repair harm,
involving all stakeholders, and transforming the traditional relationship between communities and
their governments in responding to crime.
The headline needs fixin’. The legislator doesn’t want a longer law, he wants a longer statute of limitations.
Seriously, what is happening to the editing of this paper?