California Changes Its Rape Laws

California has eliminated its statute of limitations for rape and other sexual-assault charges—in a major change to its criminal code. The measure, proposed by State Senator Connie Leyva, a Democrat from Chino, eliminated the state’s 10-year window on prosecuting a broad set of sex-related crimes. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure into law Wednesday alongside dozens of other bills. Full Article Related http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gloria-allred-responds-bill-cosby-inspired-california-law-933596

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Justice Department Announces Almost $18 Million In Awards To Support Sex Offender Registration, Assessment, Intervention

Today the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded almost $18 million to implement and enhance sex offender programming throughout the United States. “We have made tremendous strides over the last decade toward building a comprehensive sex offender registration and notification system,” said Director Luis C. deBaca, Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART Office). “The new awards take our efforts to the next stage, giving our state, local and tribal partners evidence-based tools and technologies that will enhance their capacity to manage sex…

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Campaign uses Mostly False specter of Brock Turner case to oppose Prop 57

“Brock Turner’s early release will be a regular occurrence if Prop. 57 passes,” claims the headline of a news release on the Stop57.com campaign website. Later in the press release, the campaign expanded on this claim saying Prop 57 “would make reduced sentences and early release for persons convicted of the same sex crimes committed by Turner a permanent part of California law.” We decided to fact check the bold claim in the headline, and to keep in mind the context included later in the press release. Full Article

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