|
|
| Bucks judge upholds prison sex ban |
| By Philadelphia Inquirer |
| Published: 01/28/2002 |
|
A Bucks County, Pa., judge upheld a state law last week that bans sex between inmates and prison workers, rejecting defense lawyers' arguments that the law is unconstitutionally broad and vague. In the short run, Judge Kenneth G. Biehn's decision permits the stalled prosecution of four former Bucks corrections workers to proceed. At the same time, a potential showdown looms in Pennsylvania's appellate courts, pitting Biehn's logic against that of a Montgomery County judge who last month declared the same law unconstitutional. Lawyers in both counties have said they would appeal. The cases place in limbo Pennsylvania's Institutional Sexual Assault Statute. Passed in 1998, the law made sexual contact between inmates and corrections workers a misdemeanor. In 2000 the law was toughened; the offense became a felony and the law was extended to facilities that house juveniles, the mentally ill, and the mentally retarded. It has since come under attack by lawyers for prison workers who have been charged under the statute. They claim it is so poorly crafted that it could outlaw constitutionally protected behavior, such as sex between an inmate and a corrections officer who are married to each other. On Dec. 10, Montgomery County Judge Maurino J. Rossanese, calling the statute unconstitutional, dismissed charges against Eileen Mayfield of Morristown, a former county prison officer accused of having sexual contact with three inmates. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Hiring an attorney can present confusing situations for someone. It’s hard to tell whether you’ll get the best service possible in your situation. You likely have a lot of questions. Will your lawyer hand off your matter to someone else? Will your lawyer return your phone calls? It’s hard to know without someone you can trust. If you been Waco daycare abuse attorneys you need a lawyer. People in Central Texas have trusted Dunnam & Dunnam for almost 100 years for their most pressing legal concerns. They understand the value of a good advocate. They’re a family helping Waco families since 1925.