Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: May 22, 2009
Sen. Jonathan Nichols
Senate Approves Tougher Domestic Violence/Child Porn Penalties
The State Senate has given final approval to legislation
creating stronger penalties for domestic abuse and for possession
of child pornography. Senate Bill 1020, by Sen. Jonathan
Nichols, was approved unanimously on Friday.
“Crimes like domestic abuse and child pornography destroy
families and shatter lives,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “My
legislation creates stronger sentences and closes loopholes so
these serious crimes will carry the serious punishments they deserve.”
Under current law, a first offense of domestic abuse is only a
misdemeanor. Nichols’ legislation would make that crime
a felony when a “prior pattern of conduct” can be
established. SB 1020 also closes a loophole in the law. While
most sections of state law list the crime of child porn possession
as a felony, a single section listed it as a misdemeanor.
“Defense attorneys were using this outdated section to argue
their clients should only be charged with a misdemeanor. My legislation
closes that loophole,” Nichols said.
Nichols’ legislation also increases the punishment for aggravated
possession of child porn to up to life in prison. Aggravated possession
would apply to a person possessing over 100 pornographic images
of children. It also increases possession of child pornography
to up to 20 years in prison. If signed into law, the bill would
also require anyone convicted of child porn to register as a sex
offender.
“The market for child pornography encourages further exploitation
of children—that’s why it is so important that we
do everything possible to stop this crime and punish those who
have created a market for the sexual abuse of children,”
Nichols said.
SB 1020 now returns to the House for final approval.
For more information contact:
Sen. Nichols - (405) 521-5535
