Criminal Law Library Blog

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 includes a section requiring restitution for victims of sex crimes. Although “Amy” was videotaped being sexually abused as a child, she has been given awards ranging from the millions to nothing. One judge in Arkansas claimed there was no way to assess and restitution amount, that the victims was not identifiable and that there was no proof of a “causal link” between viewing the images and specific injury to Amy. The government has appealed the case, which could set up a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court over the conflicting rulings.

Amy’s attorney, James R. Marsh of New York, has been fighting the restitution battle for Amy. “She basically doesn’t have any joy in her life. This is just an awful situation.” “What happened to me hasn’t gone away,” said Amy. “It will never go away.”

The Virginia-Pilot

A hearing will be held Wednesday on the effects of a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana. Tax officials estimate the legislation could bring about $1.4 billion a years. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has indicated he would be open to a “robust debate” on the issue.

The separate initiatives are being circulated for signatures to appear on the ballot next year, all of which would permit adults to possess marijuana for personal use and allow local government to tax it. Proponents of the leading ballot initiates have collected nearly 300,000 signatures since late September, and supporters says that they are easily on pace to qualify for the November 2010 general election.

California was the first state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes in 1996, but court rulings, including the Supreme Court’s, has ruled that the federal government can continue to enforce its ban.