Another important criminal justice bill [text of bill - Ctrl+F and search for "DNA"] signed into law by Governor Rell is this one that eliminates the statute of limitations for certain sexual assault crimes. There are two provisions however:
- The crime must have been reported within 5 years of its occurrence
- DNA must identify the perpetrator.
These are two very important restrictions. It is imperative when, years later, an individual is accused of a crime that the State be certain to a high degree that the individual is indeed the one who committed the crime. Imagine the severe hurdles if the SOL for all sex crimes was eliminated. It would be impossible to defend against.