Some state lawmakers are proposing longer prison sentences and more time on parole for those who have been convicted of sex crimes against minors. The Los Angeles Times reports that the proposed law is in response to the murder of Chelsea King of Poway, who was allegedly raped and killed by John Albert Gardner III. The man was on parole when he allegedly murdered the girl. He had previously served five years in prison for child molestation.
Chelsea's Law, which has been proposed by Republican Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, would establish a new penalty of a life sentence without the possibility of parole for forcible sex crimes against those younger than 18 when there are aggravating circumstances involved. Aggravated circumstances would include torture and "kidnapping that substantially increases risk of harm to the victim."
Nathan Fletcher also proposes to increase the penalty from a minimum 15 year sentence to a minimum 25 year sentence for a forcible sex crime life that includes any one of several "minor" aggravating circumstances, which could include use of a weapon or drugging the victim.
Yet some Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys might argue that the proposed penalties are too harsh on first-time sex offenders. It's also unknown how much money Chelsea's Law would cost and how many offenders it would affect at this time.
However, advocates of the law say that the law should pass at any cost. Brent King, the father of Chelsea King told Associated Press, "These offenders cannot be rehabilitated. They do not deserve a second chance."
Related Resources:
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Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses (FindLaw)
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Sex Offenders After Prison: Lifetime GPS Monitoring? (FindLaw's Blotter Blog)
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