Proposition 83

Pedophilia

"A rape or sexual assault occurs every two minutes. A child is abused every 35 seconds" (Schwarzenegger). Proposition 83, also known as Jessica's Law was made by the parents of Jessica Lunsford. "Five months ago, my daughter was taken from her bed, across the street, repeatedly raped for three days and then she was buried alive," said Mark Lunsford, Jessica's father. "These are not the kind of things that are supposed to happen to our children" (Comey). Yet, sadly these horrific things go on everyday. On average a pedophilia spends 128 days in jail and only has a 16.3% probability of being sent to prison (Statistics). Jessica's Law would be increasing the security, prison sentencing, and extending restrictions for registered offenders. Sexually committed crimes happen far too often particularly to children because they are defenseless. We as parents, older siblings, cousins, aunts or uncles and friends, have an obligation to protect and defend any child! It is vital for this proposition to become a law.

I support this proposition because it intensifies the penalty of all child predators. Presently, there is uncertainty in the law and this is what helps the attorneys help the offenders find the loopholes in the system so they can be let off, resulting in the very low sentencing and even arrest rate. Jessica's Law will close all loopholes making it mandatory to serve a minimum of 15 years to life (Comparison). The offenders will have their parole lengthened up to ten years and their current probation rights will be removed. Also, if the predator has served their time and commits the crime again then they will be sent to prison for 25 years to life. It also adds kidnapping and burglary with intent of sexual abuse to their crime, making the punishment intensified (Comparison). In addition, they will expand the characterization of "sex offender" so fewer predators will go unpunished. An example could be, currently if you are caught with child pornography it is only considered a misdemeanor, like trespassing. With Jessica's Law it would be raised to a felony (Schwarzenegger). Lastly, offenders in prison have the chance to be let out early due to "good-time credits" they earn by behaving appropriately. With Jessica's Law they would be a required to serve no less then their mandatory minimum prison term (Schwarzenegger). The majority of offenders are not mentally-ill, they are just aroused by children and that will not change, for the most part. In fact, "statistics show that sex offenders are four times more likely than violent criminals to recommit their crime" (Hale). Though the past couple years the statistics have been dramatically increasing, with these new consequences those statistics will dramatically decrease.

My next reason for supporting this proposition is the increase of security. They do this by the extension of restrictions. These restrictions are already set for registered offenders, but they will just be extended in areas such as playgrounds, park vicinity, school districts and select neighborhoods. This is called "Predator Free Zones" (Schwarzenegger). This will not only keep our children safer on the street, but in your home as well. Next they are planning on improving the law enforcement aspect by hiring and training more officers and by providing those law enforcers with the equipment and rights to keep an eye on and monitor registered sexual offenders for the rest of their life through satellite technology. When these certain officers are ready, they are going to be given tracking device systems. "The proposed tracking device referred to in the legislation would be a Global Positioning System that uses satellites to pinpoint a person's location within three to five meters. The system, which would cost the state approximately $9 a day, includes a small black box that attaches to a belt or purse and also an ankle bracelet" (Comey). This will be the key factor to keeping the registered offenders in check. During their parole they will be constantly supervised and when their parole ends they will still be observed. The most significant part is the offenders won't know when they are being monitored most of the time (Furillo).

Some people oppose this proposition because it costs millions of dollars. It costs so much because all of the courts, jail & prisons fees. For each trial that occurs the government has to pay a certain amount and now with the increase of penalties there are going to be several more trials, resulting in higher costs. Another major costly aspect goes to the hospitals and institutions to pay for mental health costs of offenders and all the new staff wages (Furillo). We the supporters of proposition 83 know that this will cost a lot of money, but it's for a good cause. Putting a price on something priceless like our children should not even be a question! However, this will eventually save the government and taxpayer's money! The harsher the punishment, the longer they will be in jail, resulting in fewer crimes committed and less of them on the street. "The cost of crimes for victims is an estimated $450 billion per year. Rape is the most costly to its victims, totaling $127 billion annually" (Statistics).

Opponents also argue that this new law will not help keep your children safe on the streets. The majority of sexual predator's victims are relatives or close family friends, and if this law passes predators will feel the need to run and hide to purposely avoid registering with the GPS, increasing our society's endangerment. Some opponents say "I think that will destabilize many people who have been convicted