Three Versions of “Caylee’s Law” Filed In Massachusetts
The petition website Change.org launched an action calling on people to demand a new criminal law—one that would make it a crime to fail to report your child as missing. In the wake of the Casey Anthony trial, over one million people signed the petition and state lawmakers across the country saw an opportunity to strike political gold.
In Massachusetts, three different versions of the law have been proposed. Twenty states are now considering similar legislation. And while the death of a child is always tragic, some worry emotions are playing too much of a role where logic should be reigning supreme.
One version would give parents eight hours to report their child as missing. If they failed to do so within this amount of time, they could be charged criminally.
“Caylee’s Law” is just the latest in many criminal laws that have been created on the back of a victim. And while not all of them have been negative, using emotions to launch a law isn’t always the brightest idea.
No one would suggest a criminal law without an honest discussion of its merits, right? Well lawmakers are in such a rush to please the people, there seems to be no discussion going on at all. According to Radley Balko these laws are often “poorly written and passed in a fit of hysteria.”
He points out, as do many other critics, that the law makers proposing these new criminal laws have done no research and are merely reacting to a knee jerk reaction by the public. If the eight-hour time limit passes, when does the eight-hour clock start ticking? And what if the child is found on the ninth hour at a friend’s house?
More than likely we will see some version of Caylee’s Law pass in Massachusetts. What the exact specifics are, we don’t know. But no law will bring Caylee back and much to the dismay of the public, it won’t affect Casey Anthony’s acquittal.
Vague and ineffective laws are not unusual. Understanding how the laws are applied and what can be done to build a defense against them is something your criminal defense attorney does for a living. If you are facing criminal charges, contact our offices today for a consultation on your case.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
What would be nice is for the people behind this effort to realize that this case is quite unusual. Most people would have been convicted. And, she didn’t get away Scott-free, she was convicted of a crime, spent 3 years in jail, it is likely she faces a host of civil law suits, and her reputation is ruined. I am worried that a too strict new law will swing the other way, as this post aptly points out.