Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions
Prosecutors have long argued that they face major hurdles when trying defendants accused of sexually assaulting a child. The problem, they say, is that often the only proof that a crime happened is the testimony of children, who may have trouble keeping their story straight.
“There is an awareness that as a child, they are more vulnerable, less able to explain what happened to them and to give consistent stories, even if it really happened,” said state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, a former prosecutor and judge.
Last week, Huffman filed Senate Bill 12, which would allow evidence of prior offenses ...
Comments (7)
shelomith stow
Child abuse is indeed a serious problem that must be dealt with. This bill is simply more of the same of what we have focused on since the inception of the sex offender registry, and these many years of focusing on punishment after the fact has made not a dint in the problem. Some states, realizing this, have initiated legislation that offers an alternative and offers the only thing that will impact sexual crime against children, and that is awareness and prevention before the fact.
A half a dozen states have adopted or are considering legislation that focuses on what will actually make children safer. This article gives information about the legislation and identifies the states that have adopted it. If Texas really wants to make children safer, they will move to this type of legislation in regard to sexual offense laws. http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/child-sex-abuse-education-law-passed/article_caf8a0c2-8135-538a-a3b2-5209c2aafd4d.html?_dc=949878192506.7306
Meme Me
HPD Houston Police Department has thousands of rape kits STILL sitting and untested. Until we remove these animals from our streets, they will continue. When an 11 year old child fights off an intruder into her home who is trying to assult her and HPD will not even call back to follow up on any investigation, something is really wrong! Doesn't matter what laws we pass.
Rob Turk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wait, they can't already present evidence that there are multiple victims? THAT sounds like the sort of thing that is wrong with our justice system.
Cathy Criss via Texas Tribune on Facebook
She tried to pass the same bill last session and thankfully cooler heads prevailed. Something about it being unconstitutional on the rights of the accused.
adam ofive
Last I looked, There had to be some sort of proof to accuse someone. State Senator Huffman is attempting to take this requirement away by allowing not only proven statements, but also by allowing hear-say into what should be a court of truth and justice.
SB 12 is a terrible bill, and mark these words, we will see far more divorcing dads being hauled into courts as the divorcing wives haul everything out of the house and banks, all on her word that she 'knows' something went on with little suzie.
tony bugliardini
@Adam privet. I'm in agreement with most of what u said except there having to be proof to convict someone. In Texas you can be convicted on someones word and that's it. Prosecutors are not looking for truth, they are only looking at convictions! ! Texas is known fir having the highest overtimes convictions due to perjury, prosecutorial and police misconduct, etc. I hope and pray his bill doesn't pass. And they can already bring in past convictions, charges or even just allegations. They list them as "extraneous offenses!"
tony bugliardini
Sorry for the misspellings my phone has a mind of its own! lol