This project is one that has very strongly felt, deeply held beliefs on both sides. It is an issue that has passionate defenders, advocates on behalf of victims, many of whom have gone a long time without the justice system treating their claims as legitimate or hearing them in court. Then, on the other side, there are many voices that are strongly defending what I would call sexual freedom-the ability to make mistakes, to have bad sex, to have regrettable sex, but maybe not criminal sex.  Trying to strike the right balance to make sure the code is progressive, that it’s forward-looking, that it’s something that in 50 years people will look back on and think, “That’s a viable code today. We still can work from this code,” is a real priority of ours. At the same time, we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. – Erin Murphy, Associate Reporter

This project is re-examining Article 213 (Sexual Offenses) of the 1962 Model Penal Code.  Currently, the project can be divided into three parts: main substantive code that would apply to adult and child victims; contact offenses; and evidentiary and procedural recommendations, including on sentencing and collateral consequences.

Reporters