Jessica's Law Approved by Legislative Committee

Jan 23, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

Bill Would Set Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Child Rape

(KCPW News) A bill to set mandatory minimums for child rapists and attempted child rapists got a unanimous thumbs up from a legislative committee today. Republican Representative Carl Wimmer is sponsoring the bill, which would have Utah adopt Jessica's Law.

The bill would set a minimum sentence of 25 years to life for those who rape, object rape or sodomize a child under 14 years old. Judges would not have discretion to reduce that sentence below 25 years.

The bill also sets a standard of 15 years for attempted rape of a child under 14 years old, though judges would have the discretion to reduce the sentence to as low as three years.

Representative Wimmer says the bill is great news for the parents of child victims, who want to avoid having their children testify in court, but still want as harsh a sentence as possible.

Offenders who attempt to solicit a child for sex but are caught in police sting operations would not be subject to mandatory sentencing minimums under the bill.

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