California state Democratic lawmakers have two competing bills to mandate prison sentences where a defendant rapes without force.
California state Democratic lawmakers have two competing bills to mandate prison sentences where a defendant rapes without force.
Under current California law, using force in a sexual assault results in a mandatory prison sentence. Where no force is used - when the victim cannot defend themselves – there is no mandatory sentence required. In June, Brock Turner, 20, was sentenced to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on a university campus. The case was highly criticized.
Assembly member Bill Dodd is one of three Northern California legislators responsible for one bill with Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell). If signed by the governor, the bill would prohibit probation or suspended sentences where the victim was unconscious or too intoxicated to give consent. Assemblywoman Nora Campos (D-San Jose) announced plans to sponsor her own mandatory prison legislation for rape convictions involving unconscious victims.