Sept 6, 2002
HANSEN CALLS FOR TWENTY YEARS MINIMUM JAIL TIME FOR TREACHEROUS TEACHERS WHO PREY UPON STUDENTS
"Treacherous teachers who prey upon their students can no longer be tolerated in Clark County," stated Joel F. Hansen, Independent American Party Candidate for District Attorney. "The story in today’s RJ shows that many of these sexual predators receive nothing but probation or a short prison stay and then parole. This situation is intolerable. As District Attorney, I will call for a twenty year minimum jail time sentence for teachers who have sex with their pupils, and at least ten years of probation after that. We cannot allow these predatory people out in society taking advantage of our children any longer. Any person in a position of authority over young people, such as priests, school employees, youth counselors, juvenile court employees, and of course teachers must be put on notice that this type of despicable activity will no longer be tolerated in Clark County and that the District Attorney’s office will prosecute those who abuse their authority to the fullest extent of the law." Hansen emphasized that the purpose of the law is to protect innocent people from criminals, and that adults who take sexual advantage of innocent or naive children are among the worst criminals in our society. "They need to be put behind bars for a long time, to teach them a lesson and to protect our children," Hansen concluded.