From Sen. Charles Grassley –
Sexual abuse and domestic assault are some of the most heinous crimes. Most people agree that these are areas where mandatory minimum criminal sentences are very much needed.
I’m concerned that the absence of mandatory minimum sentences is causing serious problems in deterring these terrible acts of sexual assault and domestic violence. Too many sex offenders are given probation or light sentences by lenient judges. It’s an appalling practice that needs to be stopped.
So, during last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee’s consideration of a bill to change the criminal sentencing laws for federal crimes, I offered and got passed amendments to ensure that people who commit such horrible crimes spend time behind bars.
My first amendment was adopted by a vote of 15-3 and would impose mandatory minimum sentences for various sexual abuse offenses. A second amendment that I offered was also adopted by a vote of 15-3 and would impose a mandatory minimum sentence where death occurs as a result of the commission of the crime of interstate domestic violence.
In addition to the sexual assault and domestic violence amendments, a third amendment that I offered was adopted by voice vote. This amendment would enact a mandatory minimum sentence for defendants convicted of willfully providing armaments, war materials and other goods and services to State sponsors of international terrorism or specially designated foreign terrorists and proliferators of weapons of mass destruction. It also would enact a mandatory minimum for defendants convicted of willfully and illegally exporting goods and services in connection with a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons program or a missile program.
Rogue nations and terrorist groups need to be kept from gaining access to various technologies that could inflict catastrophic damage. The sentencing of people seeking to help these rogue nations and terrorist groups must be robust enough to send a clear message to these organizations.
30 thoughts on “Sen. Grassley calls for mandatory minimum sentences for sexual assault and domestic violence perpetrators”
now here is demos and fake repulicans will stirup gender war .this is so far down on list of what we as americans need to focus on how about the crimes of politicians bankers and looting of iowa and america .i could careless about your so called issue .designed by demos as a diversion as they rob n rape banking industry rights of all of us.You should be looking into 911 instead of being vindictive towards ur exs
who is grassley he wants to lock up someone why dont he start with prez ohbombus.Because grassley is a super criminal we need to put him under the scope.He should be impeaching obama and arresting bush and Cheny .I dont belive grassleys from Iowa .He wants to be portrayed as head of GANG of 8 .I Say we impeach grassley loser put him in fed pen marion illinois Did you know he is allowing detroit police pension funds to be looted whos pensions next isp or mcpd?he look the other way.
For all of us survivors of these horrendous crimes– this is for you!!! The men on here are clueless on this subject. Unless you have been raped, beat and tortured- as I have in the past– I would suggest you keep your comments to yourself– unless of course, you are supportive of Victim/Survivors….
Ask GOP crony Al Winters if he has any sympathy for victims of sexual assault by Catholic priests. He seems to think anyone who points out that the assaults took place are bad people or that it has been over-hyped. Just the kind of wingnut apologist for sexual predators we all should be wary of. His leader Gabe Haugland is no better, I think he hates women and wants to take their rights away. The Republican party is doomed as long as dinosaurs like these men are in charge.
^^ WATCH OUT FOR GABE HAUGLAND
YOU CAN SOMETIMES FIND THIS CREEPY MAN FACEBOOKING IN HIS CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT FIRST CITIZENS BANK ^^
Matt,
I kinda forget who Gabe Haugland is?? Isn’t he married to one of the Nicholas girls??
What does he do???
Chairman of the CG GOP is the short answer.
Raping’s, beatings and torture carry stiffer penalties than domestic violence.
When will women ever be prosecuted for mind games against men? Psychological torture hurts too!
These things were committed as domestic violence.
As far as mind games– it goes both ways bucko….
But, if it is long term emotional abuse– that classifies as domestic abuse in some courts of law, whatever gender.
As far as my situation, penalties are not always stiffer. I see it on NI Mugshots all the time. Some abuser, strangles, beats, stabs, shoots– whatever and the police do their job to arrest. Our court system is stacked with liberal judges like Colleen Weiland and they get suspended sentences, No Contact Orders, which are broken repeatedly and a fine that never gets paid.. No justice in that. Then the children that witness these horrific incidents are harmed for life and the cycle continues…
Nobody told you to hook up with bad boys did they?
Hey, I said I was a survivor… I am not whining. I am just stating facts…
And, one of the bad boys– as u say, was introduced to me by a College Professor and a Registered Nurse of good reputation… You just cannot judge a book by its cover. Most of the bad boy does not come out right away– that is their modus operandi. They are charming sociopaths…..
Are u not aware that the majority of abusers have no criminal record. Do some research…
And, that is a really interesting take on bad boys, since they come in all shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic levels, ages, …. one of the worst abusers I know of was a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon– so again I say, Since it is obvious u know nothing about this topic… Find another topic to chime in on….
@Mary Beth-You can’t argue with SUCKS. He is probably so stoned he doesn’t even know he is spouting off. Just consider the source and blow him off. Where there are certainly a lot of predators out there that need to be put away for a long time if not for good, there are also some that were set up by women trying to get even. I do know a couple of those..
I agree Marybeth, good answer.
Domestic abuse can run a gamut from rape, beatings, and torture, to incidents far less severe mentally or physically.
One-size fits all is a silly idea.
Nor am I sure why a non-domestic rape, beating, or torture should be treated less seriously than a domestic one.
I agree that the most important person in this discussion should always be the victim. I just don’t see how mandatory minimums are a good thing, unless there is a suggestion that judges are giving a nod and a wink to violence. If that’s the case, again I think that education of judges or even removal if need be, would be the way to go rather than trying to have a one size fits solution.
Wow, this is the first thing in years where I can actually agree with Grassley!!! It seems now that he has some form of dementia, he is starting to look and act almost human….
I like Chuck but he has been there to long. We need less laws, less regulation, less decisions coming from federal and state government. Leave the discretion to the local government. Do they mess it up? Yes. But Chuck Liberty always trumps increased regulation. As my good friend says …. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I am against this proposal. Look what enforcing these type of sentences has done in the drug war. We have people with ruined lives that can not get work because of this. There is a story behind every charge and each one should be judged separately.
Good morning LVS! I agree, did you take your smart pills this morning buddy?
Lots of things you don’t know about me.
Wow, is this the same LVS? One minute you are calling for drug offenders to be hanged, and the next saying the sentences are too tough and are ruining lives. Keep going in the latter direction LVS…that’s the one that has a future.
I am really not a fan of mandatory sentencing and I think it puts jurors in a bind. Rather than have someone who is guilty on some level pay a reasonable penalty, they can nullify and acquit because they didn’t feel they deserved the mandatory minimums.
Instead of legislating this, why not educate the judges if something is out of line? Are we to the point where most of the laws called for are just political positioning by either side?
Let’s get this straight, you’re not for mandatory minimums because you feel it results in less time?
Beep beep..hear that sound? That’s the short bus coming to pick you up.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand why you couldn’t understand my post.
I’m against minimums AND I think it puts jurors in a bind.
Not because it results in “less time” somehow. If you don’t understand what I’m saying, I’m happy to explain without any need for you to denigrate people who ride any type of bus.
Unless he is stoned sucks doesn’t understand much of anything.
Mediator – if you are new to this site, perhaps we should explain that “Iowa Sucks” is a moron. All of his posts are asinine and no one pays him any mind. I’m surprised that he is allowed to even be on here. Btw – you make a good point.
I really doubt anyone on here is a moron. I would think it easy to misunderstand what I was trying to say.
But, since I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, I do have to wonder why so many of you are so negative in your commenting.
Why not make the world a better place? Can we find a more positive way to let each other know that we don’t agree and find their suggestion rather off-putting to consider? I think it could be a fun challenge.
Wife throws the dishes at you—> MANDATORY MINIMUM prison time!
Let’s take the sentencing out of the hands of judges and give it to the government.
Agreed. Sentences should not be at the discretion of a judge. There should be rigid standards for sentencing that should apply to everyone…as determined by the people themselves…not judges. I personally feel everything should be voted upon by the people when it comes to these matters as ballot questions. This means that I don’t even trust the legislators to make the final decisions on what punishment should fit what crime. It has to be Direct Democracy or bust.
So, you’re saying that there should be an election to determine the punishment for the woman who throws dishes at her husband?
It would appear that a method that might suit your ideal would be to have a jury not only determine guilt, but also sentence.