The Dangers of 'Caylee's Law' in State Capitals

In Nashville like nearly 20 other state capitals across the country legislation has been introduced to address the perceived problems with the verdict in the Anthony case.


Steve Chapman reports in today's Chicago Tribune about the dangers to this reaction based law drafting.

So in some 20 states, bills have been introduced making it a felony not to report a child's disappearance within a given time — eight hours, 24 hours or 48 hours. Some would also make it a crime not to report a child's death within one or two hours. If such a law had been in effect in Florida three years ago, Anthony might have gotten a lengthy sentence despite the murder acquittal.

The obvious problem with reaction based legislation is that it does not address the anger to the issues that caused the verdict and it will be irrelevant to future cases.  Tennessee already has laws on the books that make it a crime to to neglect or injure a child. The neglect statute is particular tough carrying 15-25 years in prison for this A felony in the most serious cases.