| Senate Bill 2063 Jessica's Law for North Carolina |
North Carolina now has a great version of Jessica's Law, which we can be proud. We still have cracks and loopholes’ in our laws that need correction. SB 2063 would help further our GPS monitoring of sex offenders. This bill picks up where Jessica’s Law stops at. Let us support North Carolina State Senator David W. Hoyle and tell your North Carolina Representative please support SB 2063. Frustrated Mother of North Carolina: As the saying goes, "if you can't do the time then do not do the crime." This is how this mother feels, about what had occurred with my child being assaulted by a sex offender. I feel that North Carolina Laws are still not strict enough, when it comes to sex offenders. Even thought the sex offender had a tracking device, it was not enough to stop him. The tracking device only was a record of his where- abouts. If the device would have made it clear to authorities that he was in area, that he was not allowed to be in, then my child would not have endure the reoccurring nightmares of the assault. This is why; I have join in with Jessica's Law Now North Carolina, to make a difference in our state laws. So other children will not be robbed of their innocence and find themselves at the hands and mercy of a monster. Today, my child lives daily with this nightmare and sees a clinical psychiatrist twice a week. As a parent, I can only hope that your child never has to endure such lost of mortality. Jessica's Law Now North Carolina has banded together to make a stand with Mark Lunsford. Our sole mission is seeing laws passed that protect our children. See Release >>> |
"I, SB 2063 like be passed. Then as a
law, I can protect the children of North
Carolina.”
law, I can protect the children of North
Carolina.”
For information about SB 2063 Jessica's Law / GPS Monitoring and the
members of Judiciary II Committee. Click the Flag >>
members of Judiciary II Committee. Click the Flag >>
North Carolina Representative Tim Moore listens
to Mark Lunsford's plea for stricter laws on sex
offenders at Legislation Day 2007.
to Mark Lunsford's plea for stricter laws on sex
offenders at Legislation Day 2007.
Mark Lunsford said Couey, who had a history of burglary and sex-related offenses involving children, would have been off the streets or closely
monitored had a similar law been in place in Florida when Jessica died.
"I have a lot of family and friends here who have children," Lunsford said. "If we don't pass this legislation and another child gets hurt, then another
family lives with the things that I have to live with."
The proposed bill, named the "Jessica Lunsford Act," would require judges to impose sentences of either 25 years in prison or life in prison without
parole against individuals convicted of certain sex-related crimes involving children. Offenders released from prison would be monitored
electronically for life.
Under current state law, convictions for first-degree rape and sexual offense against children carry a minimum of 12 years in prison, with life
imprisonment possible in some cases.
"If we know there's a minimum sentence of 25 years to life, we know for at least 25 years these creeps are not out on the street, preying on some
other child," said Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, one of the bill's primary sponsors.
At least 15 states including South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia passed laws last year setting mandatory minimum sentences for certain
sex-related offenses against children. The laws are similar to a Florida statute approved after Jessica's death, according to the National Conference
of State Legislatures.
Texas, Montana and Tennessee are considering similar proposals this year. The North Carolina bill was sent to a House judiciary subcommittee this
week.
Last year, North Carolina legislators approved a law that would prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare
center. Satellite monitoring was initiated for up to 300 of the worst offending registered sex offenders.
Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, another sponsor, said she was willing to release some nonviolent criminals from prison if it meant having space for
the most heinous sex offenders.
Mark Lunsford agreed.
"I'd much rather live next door to a thief than to a child murderer," he said.
monitored had a similar law been in place in Florida when Jessica died.
"I have a lot of family and friends here who have children," Lunsford said. "If we don't pass this legislation and another child gets hurt, then another
family lives with the things that I have to live with."
The proposed bill, named the "Jessica Lunsford Act," would require judges to impose sentences of either 25 years in prison or life in prison without
parole against individuals convicted of certain sex-related crimes involving children. Offenders released from prison would be monitored
electronically for life.
Under current state law, convictions for first-degree rape and sexual offense against children carry a minimum of 12 years in prison, with life
imprisonment possible in some cases.
"If we know there's a minimum sentence of 25 years to life, we know for at least 25 years these creeps are not out on the street, preying on some
other child," said Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, one of the bill's primary sponsors.
At least 15 states including South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia passed laws last year setting mandatory minimum sentences for certain
sex-related offenses against children. The laws are similar to a Florida statute approved after Jessica's death, according to the National Conference
of State Legislatures.
Texas, Montana and Tennessee are considering similar proposals this year. The North Carolina bill was sent to a House judiciary subcommittee this
week.
Last year, North Carolina legislators approved a law that would prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare
center. Satellite monitoring was initiated for up to 300 of the worst offending registered sex offenders.
Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, another sponsor, said she was willing to release some nonviolent criminals from prison if it meant having space for
the most heinous sex offenders.
Mark Lunsford agreed.
"I'd much rather live next door to a thief than to a child murderer," he said.
Jessica Lunsford's father wants stronger N.C. child molester laws
By GARY D. ROBERTSON / Associated Press
April 25, 2007 2:28 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The father of Jessica Lunsford, the 9-year-old girl who
was kidnapped, raped and murdered in Florida, was back in North Carolina on
Wednesday urging lawmakers to approve tougher penalties for child
molesters.
Mark Lunsford, who lived in Gaston County for two decades, spoke in support
of a bill that would lengthen minimum prison sentences and require child
molesters be electronically monitored for life after serving their sentences.
The proposal, also backed by more than three dozen Republicans, would be
named for his daughter.
"The system has failed me and our children, not just in Florida but across the
country," said Lunsford, who has lobbied for similar laws in about 20 states.
"What happened to my daughter was because we didn't have these tough
laws. But it wasn't just my daughter. There are hundreds and hundreds of
children being assaulted daily."
Lunsford lived in Gaston County, west of Charlotte, for nearly 20 years before
moving to Florida with his daughter about a year and a half before she was
killed in February 2005. John Evander Couey was convicted in the murder,
and a Florida jury last month recommended a death sentence.
By GARY D. ROBERTSON / Associated Press
April 25, 2007 2:28 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The father of Jessica Lunsford, the 9-year-old girl who
was kidnapped, raped and murdered in Florida, was back in North Carolina on
Wednesday urging lawmakers to approve tougher penalties for child
molesters.
Mark Lunsford, who lived in Gaston County for two decades, spoke in support
of a bill that would lengthen minimum prison sentences and require child
molesters be electronically monitored for life after serving their sentences.
The proposal, also backed by more than three dozen Republicans, would be
named for his daughter.
"The system has failed me and our children, not just in Florida but across the
country," said Lunsford, who has lobbied for similar laws in about 20 states.
"What happened to my daughter was because we didn't have these tough
laws. But it wasn't just my daughter. There are hundreds and hundreds of
children being assaulted daily."
Lunsford lived in Gaston County, west of Charlotte, for nearly 20 years before
moving to Florida with his daughter about a year and a half before she was
killed in February 2005. John Evander Couey was convicted in the murder,
and a Florida jury last month recommended a death sentence.
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Yvonne, a Survivor's Story