Turley Testifies Before House Committee On Restitution For Child Pornography

This morning I will be testifying in the House of Representatives before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary. The hearing is entitled “Child Exploitation Restitution Following the Paroline Decision” and addresses a long-standing controversy over the limits on restitution in such cases. My testimony is below.

I previously criticized the restitution approach that led to the decision in Paroline v. United States, 134 S. Ct. 1710, 188 L. Ed. 2d 714 (2014). See, also, John Schwartz, Child Pornography, and an Issue of Restitution, New York Times, Feb. 2, 2010; Karen Duffin, New Frontiers In The Child Porn Law, National Public Radio, Jan. 24, 2014.

This is a very difficult subject both legally and emotionally to address in any forum. However, the Court ruling allows Congress to correct what was an ill-conceived approach on restitution in my view. My views are laid out below.

The hearing starts at 10:00 am in the Rayburn House Office Building.

The witness list for today’s hearing is:

Ms. Jill E. Steinberg
National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction
U.S. Department of Justice

The Honorable Paul G. Cassell
Professor of Criminal Law
University of Utah College of Law

Mr. Jonathan Turley
Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law
George Washington University Law School

Mr. Grier Weeks
Executive Director
National Association to Protect Children

Here is my testimony:
Testimony.Turley.Restitution.Final