Published January 13, 2023, at the Arizona Capitol Times. Reprinted here in full with permission. AZRSOL . . . In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a rare spate of high-profile child abductions and murders, mostly sexual in nature, terrified America. With constant media coverage, parents across the country were easily led to believe that their children could be in imminent…
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By Sandy and Prof. Ira Ellman . . . After all the brouhaha, all of the protesting and dissemination of false and misleading information, it is over. May 17, 2022, the American Law Institute voted to accept the recommended changes to its Model Penal Code in regard to sexual crimes. The session was not without dissenters, for, according to Professor…
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By Sandy . . . March 2 the Council of the American Law Institute approved the recommendations for changes to its Model Penal Code as pertains to the management of sexual crimes and the sex offender registry. The recommendations which were approved were modified from the committee’s final draft due to pressure from various entities. The recommendations have been years…
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By Sandy . . . The situation surrounding the revisions to the American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code has become a “hot button” issue. Even though only recommendations, in some states they are highly regarded and could be considered by lawmakers in future sessions. The suggested revisions dealing with sexual crime would be a big step down from the onerous requirements…
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Elizabeth Letourneau and Luke Malone: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/02/john-walsh-sex-offender-registry-change.html “In the United States, up to 70 percent of sexual offenses against children are perpetrated by other children, typically a slightly older relative or playmate who offends in the context of ignorance, impulsivity, and convenience, not predation. Many states subject these kids to the same criminal consequences as adults who have been convicted of…
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Published 1/10/22 in The Tennessean with a first paragraph adapted to Tennessee. By Sandy . . . The attorneys general of 35 of the United States and two territories have signed a letter condemning recent revisions to the American Law Institute’s (ALI) Model Penal Code on sexual crimes. This is contrary to what evidence shows would improve public safety. Early…
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By Rory Fleming . . . On June 8, the American Law Institute, arguably the most prestigious non-governmental law reform organization in the country, concluded its national meeting. One of its agenda items was to have its thousands of elected members—top federal appeals judges among them, who enjoy lifetime appointments after being confirmed by the United States Senate—vote on a draft of the revised chapter of…
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By Dr. Ira Ellman . . . On June 8, 2021 the membership of the American Law Institute gave its final approval to a revision of the Model Penal Code’s chapter on Sexual Assault and Related Offenses. This project was initially authorized by the ALI Council in 2012. The appointed Reporters, Professors Stephen Schulhofer and Erin Murphy of the New York…
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