In support of HB 2728
I am writing in support of HB 2728.
You have heard testimony on behalf of HB 2728 from PB, a mother of two children who were accosted while on their school's playground by a Bellevue lawyer. This Bellevue lawyer was convicted of four separate counts of Indecent Exposure to a child, with sexual intent, and yet -had those been his only convictions- he would still be allowed to work with children, drive a school bus, or coach a team.
HB 2728 is a well built, simple piece of legislation that would not threaten any civil rights.
Law enforcement know the difference between a protected right to get naked and an inappropriate attempt to engage a child in a sexual manner, and should they err on the side of caution and arrest someone when unsure, the charges can be dropped. Law enforcement are not the final say in what a person gets charged with.
Prosecutors practice tremendous discretion, knowing that they'll have to prove the allegations, and that applying them inappropriately decreases the legitimacy of the charge.
Lastly, the allegation would have to be proven separately. When the crime is horribly obvious, as it was with the Bellevue lawyer who admitting to approaching and exposing himself to upwards of 200 children in King Co., then there would be a piece of legislation in place to appropriately address his acts, and to prevent him from seeking out methods of getting trusted contact with other children.
We're asking that HB 2728, a simple bill that addresses a very apparent need, move forward.
Thank you for your time and consideration with regard to HB 2728.
You have heard testimony on behalf of HB 2728 from PB, a mother of two children who were accosted while on their school's playground by a Bellevue lawyer. This Bellevue lawyer was convicted of four separate counts of Indecent Exposure to a child, with sexual intent, and yet -had those been his only convictions- he would still be allowed to work with children, drive a school bus, or coach a team.
HB 2728 is a well built, simple piece of legislation that would not threaten any civil rights.
Law enforcement know the difference between a protected right to get naked and an inappropriate attempt to engage a child in a sexual manner, and should they err on the side of caution and arrest someone when unsure, the charges can be dropped. Law enforcement are not the final say in what a person gets charged with.
Prosecutors practice tremendous discretion, knowing that they'll have to prove the allegations, and that applying them inappropriately decreases the legitimacy of the charge.
Lastly, the allegation would have to be proven separately. When the crime is horribly obvious, as it was with the Bellevue lawyer who admitting to approaching and exposing himself to upwards of 200 children in King Co., then there would be a piece of legislation in place to appropriately address his acts, and to prevent him from seeking out methods of getting trusted contact with other children.
We're asking that HB 2728, a simple bill that addresses a very apparent need, move forward.
Thank you for your time and consideration with regard to HB 2728.
