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Senator Hassan Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Help Bring Justice to Victims of Heinous Crimes

Bipartisan Bill Would Support Victims of Sexual Assault

 

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help bring justice to victims of heinous crimes, including sexual assault, by ensuring that prosecutors have the resources they need to resolve cold cases. The Justice Served Act of 2018 was introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and would provide funds for the prosecution of crimes cleared through DNA. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative John Carter (R-TX).

 

“It is critical that victims of heinous crimes, including sexual assault, get the justice they rightfully deserve, and ensuring that prosecutors have the support and resources necessary to resolve cold cases is critical to those efforts,” Senator Hassan said. “By providing funds for the prosecution of crimes cleared through DNA, the bipartisan Justice Served Act is an important step forward in bringing justice to victims of heinous crimes and their families, while also clearing those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit.”

 

The Justice Served Act of 2018 would provide funds for the prosecution of crimes cleared through DNA. This legislation:

 

  • Authorizes five to seven percent of funds under the Debbie Smith Act to be used to prosecute cold cases;
  • Enhances prosecutors’ capacity to solve these cases through advances in DNA forensic analysis;
  • Brings justice to the victims of crime and their families by giving prosecutors the tools they need to investigate, solve, and close cold cases;
  • Helps exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit with new DNA testing results.

 

The Justice Served Act has been endorsed by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), Debbie Smith, the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the National Association of Police Organizations.

 

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