Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the ceremonial bill signing for the Jessica Lunsford Act, June 2, 2014 on the Statehouse steps. Mark Lunsford stands to Christie's left. (Michael Symons/Asbury Park Press)
New Jersey is the latest, and one of the last, states to enact a version of the Jessica Lunsford Act, which increases penalties for people convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13.
Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law May 15. A ceremonial bill signing was held late this morning on the Statehouse steps, including a short speech from Mark Lunsford, whose 9-year-old daughter was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in Florida in 2005.
“Today marks the day that New Jersey begins changing the landscape on how we deal with crimes against children. Today is the day that New Jersey says that we’re turning the tables, and instead of you stalking our children, we’re stalking you,” said Lunsford, whose flew to New Jersey after his work shift ended at 6:30 a.m.
“It’s horrible, and it’s sad, and the only way that we can make things different is by joining together in every state passing something that is so tough that it makes other people so angry because it’s so hard for them to do their job to protect a guilty man,” Lunsford said.
New Jersey’s law requires mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years to life in prison, with no possibility of parole until 25 years are served, for committing an aggravated sexual assault against a child under 13. In limited circumstances, under plea guidelines established by the state Office of the Attorney General, a plea deal can be reached for a sentence of at least 15 years.
“This legislation will protect our children and strengthen the penalties for those who commit sexual assault against them. The law will ensure those individuals who commit unthinkable crimes and prey on the innocence and vulnerability of our children are given the punishment that they have so richly earned,” Christie said.
“We didn’t want to punish the children more than they’re already suffered. So that’s why the plea deal is in there,” said Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, R-Union, whose late husband, Eric, began the push for the law while serving in the Assembly in 2005.
“Those predators who come after our kids will be in prison hopefully for the rest of the lives. It is my prayer that no judge gives the minimum of 25 years. I hope they’re all listening,” said Sen. Diane Allen, R-Burlington.
Munoz said four states haven’t enacted a Jessica Lunsford Act. Mark Lunsford said Colorado will be enacting its version later this week, though he counts New York, which passed a limited version of the law, among the states without an equivalent.
The bill was first proposed in 2005, less than 11 weeks after Jessica Lunsford’s murder but took six legislative sessions to pass. The time between Jessica’s murder and New Jersey’s enactment of the law bearing her name – 9 years, 2 months and 18 days – was just 68 days shorter than her life.
