Hatch Praises Utah Child Advocacy Expert Ahead of Congressional Testimony
Washington, D.C.— Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, senior Republican in the United States Senate and lead sponsor of the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act, praised Utahn Paul G. Cassell, the Ronald N. Boyce Presidential Professor at the S.J.Quinney College of Law, ahead of his testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime.
Senator Hatch said: “No one knows more about criminal law—and how to make it better—than Professor Cassell. He has been instrumental in developing this legislation that responds to the changing nature of child pornography and the real challenges that victims face in seeking restitution. When this legislation is enacted into law, it will help keep Congress’s promise to help victims of child pornography receive the help they need to rebuild their lives.”
One of America’s leading experts on criminal law and reform, Professor Cassell will testify about how to improve the system for obtaining restitution for victims of child pornography. In both oral and written testimony, he will provide detailed analysis of the following:
Senator Hatch worked extensively with Professor Cassell and other experts to develop the Amy & Vicky Act, introducing it just two weeks after the Supreme Court’s Paroline decision. He re-introduced the Amy & Vicky Act on January 28, 2015, with 35 bipartisan original co-sponsors and the Senate voted 98-0 to pass it two weeks later.
Professor Cassell’s prepared testimony is attached. He concludes that the Amy & Vicky Act “creates an easy-to-administer regime that ensures full compensation for victims, while reducing the litigation burdens on prosecutors, defendants, courts, and victims.”
The hearing, “Child Exploitation Restitution Following the Paroline v. United States Decisions” will be held at 10:00 a.m. in 2141 Rayburn.
