What you should know about Jessica's Law

You may think that the penalties for sexual offenses involving a minor are all the same, but if you have convictions for two or more sexually violent crimes, under Jessica's Law you are considered an aggravated habitual sexual offender and the penalty for another conviction for a child sex crime becomes life in prison with no possibility of parole.

These sexually violent crimes may include:

-- Rape

-- Indecent liberties with a child

-- Aggravated indecent liberties with a child

-- Criminal sodomy

-- Aggravated criminal sodomy

-- Indecent solicitation of a child

-- Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child

-- Sexual exploitation of a child

-- Aggravated sexual battery

-- Aggravated incest

If you are unfamiliar with Jessica's Law, it a law that was first passed in the state of Florida in 2006. It was named after Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old girl from Florida who was raped and murdered by a sex offender who lived across the street from the girl's family. As a convicted sex offender, the man was required to register as a sex offender in the state of Florida, but had failed to let authorities know his registration information had changed when he moved. Jessica's parent later told authorities that they never would have moved into the neighborhood if they had been aware that a sex offender lived across the street from them.

This case would become the catalyst that prompted Florida to pass the first House Bill that would increase the punishment for child sex offenders. Other states, including Kansas soon introduced House Bills of their own.

If you would like to learn more about how Jessica's Law may affect those who are charged with sex offenses against a child, you can find more information on our website.