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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2013 08:11 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kevin Haggerty and Rep. Brian Sims, Rep. Mike Regan |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increased grading of assaults relating to violent “games” |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), §2702 (Aggravated Assault), of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to classify assaults related to violent “games” such as “The Knockout Game” or “SlapCam” as an aggravated assault. The offense would be graded as a misdemeanor of the first degree. “The Knockout Game” and other similar “games” involve randomly targeting unsuspecting strangers for violent assaults. Under current law, depending on the nature of the injury, such an offense would likely be characterized as a simple assault. Under current law, simple assault is a misdemeanor of the second or third degree. Under our bill, the "games" crime grading would be increased, carrying a penalty for violation of a misdemeanor of the first degree, which includes imprisonment, the maximum term of which is five (5) years. Our legislation would ensure a more severe penalty for persons participating in these violent and dangerous activities. In recent months, there appears to have been a rash of incidents involving these “games” whereby harmless pedestrians, including senior citizens, were violently attacked. Sadly, some victims have succumbed to their injuries. We urge you to join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |