Reichert: High Court's Decision on Child Rapists Shows Need for Bill on Federal Life Sentences

Statement

Reichert: High Court's Decision on Child Rapists Shows Need for Bill on Federal Life Sentences

The U.S. Supreme Court decision against the death penalty for child rapists shows that there is a need for a federal law to give life sentences for these predators, Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) said today. He has introduced legislation, the "Lock Up Child Rapists Now Act," to provide mandatory life imprisonment for child rapists.

"I respect the Court's decision regarding the death penalty for child rapists. But we need stricter laws than what are currently in place to protect children from these predators. Enough is enough. We have seen too many stories of repeat offenders ruining the lives of our children because we have not yet had the courage to do the right thing by locking them up for life. This deters potential offenders with the threat of a life-sentence, and will put offenders behind bars for good so our children are safe, parents are reassured that we are doing what we can to prevent crime, and future offenders know that they will spend the rest of their lives behind bars if they commit the most heinous crime."

Reichert's legislation (H.R. 6050) provides mandatory life imprisonment for adults convicted of raping a child under the age of 12 years. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 15% of known sexual assault and rape victims are under 12 years old, and 46% of rapists released from prison are rearrested within 3 years of their conviction. H.R. 6050 protects our children by keeping these offenders off the streets and behind bars.

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