NCJ Number
244889
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2013 Pages: 166-198
Date Published
March 2013
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study examined the variations in State laws for sex crimes.
Abstract
Sex crime laws seemingly have proliferated recently as part of a national "get tough" shift in criminal justice policy. However, to date, there exists no systematic account of these state-level legislative changes. Accordingly, the "tough on sex crime" characterization of States may be understated or incorrect. It may also gloss over variability in the types of laws enacted and the implications such variability has for the generalizability of assessments of these laws. Drawing on an analysis of State laws, the authors identify considerable variation in the type, intensity, and design of sex crime laws among States. Results suggest that not all States have uniformly embraced these reforms, that considerable caution is warranted when generalizing from evaluations of particular laws, and that the continuing expansion of sex crime policymaking will make it increasingly difficult, especially in the absence of a commensurate body of empirical research, to identify the effects of specific policies. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.