Across the United States, statutes of limitations with regard to sex crimes vary from state to state. The cases of former sports coaches Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine highlight how variations in the law can create very different outcomes. On Wednesday, prosecutors said that despite credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors, charges against Fine could not be brought because the statute of limitations has expired. Meanwhile, Sandusky has posted bail after spending a night in jail. Dr. Chrysanthi Leon teaches criminal justice at the University of Delaware. She explains how states come to decisions about determining length of statutes. Dr. Joan Kinlin is a child psychiatrist based in Washington, DC. She believes that legal reform is needed and that no statutes of limitations should be imposed on charges related to child sex crimes.
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