So why are "liberals" cheering eliminating statute of limitations for rape?

[Martinus]

Ok, could someone explain this one to me? Several so-called liberals and liberal sites have posted articles cheering on (I think) California for proposing to eliminate statute of limitations for rape.

Isn't the liberal position that there should be statute of limitations for crimes, because it is counterproductive and inhumane to penalise people for crimes they committed, say, 30 or 40 years ago? I thought that it has been widely accepted in modern societies that the only exceptions to this rule are crimes against humanity and war crimes.

[Zanza]

Your thoughts of what is widely accepted elsewhere are often wrong. Is that enough explanation?

[Habbaku]

  Is that really the argument for having a statute of limitations on rape?

I am sure I could be convinced otherwise by a compelling argument, but I don't currently see a reason to have a statute of limitations on something like rape.

[Martinus]

Your thoughts of what is widely accepted elsewhere are often wrong. Is that enough explanation?

At least German people seem to agree with me. These are the rules from the German penal code:

(2) Serious criminal offenses under Section 220a (genocide) and Section 211 (murder) are not subject to a statute of limitations.

(3) To the extent that prosecution is subject to a statute of limitations, the period of limitation shall be:

1. thirty years in the case of acts punishable by imprisonment for life;

2. twenty years in the case of acts punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than ten years;

3. ten years in the case of acts punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than five years but not more than 10 years;

4. five years in the case of acts punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year but not more than five years;

5. three years in the case of other acts.

[Barrister]

I thought that it has been widely accepted in modern societies that the only exceptions to this rule are crimes against humanity and war crimes.

There is no statute of limitations on any serious (i.e. indictable) offence in Canada, including sexual assault.

[Martinus]

I thought that it has been widely accepted in modern societies that the only exceptions to this rule are crimes against humanity and war crimes.

There is no statute of limitations on any serious (i.e. indictable) offence in Canada, including sexual assault.

Wow, Canada is more of a totalitarian hellhole than I thought.

[Razgovory]

I thought that it has been widely accepted in modern societies that the only exceptions to this rule are crimes against humanity and war crimes.

There is no statute of limitations on any serious (i.e. indictable) offence in Canada, including sexual assault.

Wow, Canada is more of a totalitarian hellhole than I thought.

Surprise, surprise, Marty doesn't think rape is a serious offense.

[The Minsky Moment]

It takes a long time to build a case against those tricksy Muslim rapists.

[garbon]

I thought that it has been widely accepted in modern societies that the only exceptions to this rule are crimes against humanity and war crimes.

There is no statute of limitations on any serious (i.e. indictable) offence in Canada, including sexual assault.

Wow, Canada is more of a totalitarian hellhole than I thought.

Surprise, surprise, Marty doesn't think rape is a serious offense.

Unless it was a Muslim perp.

Anyway, this is actually a new low for him.

[Sheilbh]

Yep. No statute of limitations on rape or other serious sexual crimes in the UK. Hence some of the recent prosecutions for historic sexual abuse.

I don't see why there should be either.

[celedhring]

The statute of limitations for rape in Spain is 12 years, although the clock doesn't start until the victim is a legal adult, if he/she was a minor.

Personally I think it's awfully low. In general our statuses of limitations are way too short for most offences, and I am hardly a "lock them up and throw away the key" tough on crime posturer.

[celedhring]

The statute of limitations for rape in Spain is 12 years, although the clock doesn't start until the victim is a legal adult, if he/she was a minor.

Personally I think it's awfully low. In general our statuses of limitations are way too short for most offences, and I am hardly a "lock them up and throw away the key" tough on crime poser.

[Martinus]

The statute of limitations for rape in Spain is 12 years, although the clock doesn't start until the victim is a legal adult, if he/she was a minor.

Personally I think it's awfully low. In general our statuses of limitations are way too short for most offences, and I am hardly a "lock them up and throw away the key" tough on crime posturer.

I do think it should be between 20 and 30 years but I don't think ti shouldn't exist. Generally, the German system that I quoted above seems to be similar to what my expectation would be (I am surprised, though, that there is no statute of limitation for murder - I am wondering, though, what crimes, other than genocide and murder, carry the life imprisonment penalty in Germany).

[celedhring]

Murder has 20 in Spain. Genocide and terrorism don't prescribe.

[Martinus]

Murder has 20 in Spain. Genocide and terrorism don't prescribe.

Yeah I know but the German code I quoted says that genocide and murder are excluded and then says that for other crimes carrying the life sentence, it's 30 years. So it makes you wonder what these other crimes are (unless it's just an empty category).