Capitol Report

March 5th, 2009

Bill Focus: Addressing Backlog of DNA samples
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

The introduction of DNA to the world of criminal justice has had a profound impact on solving some of California's toughest crimes. Along with this new technology has come the challenge to sustain it. For example, a few years ago ABC's 20/20 reported that hundreds of thousands of unprocessed rape kits in the United States were waiting to be processed but, were never sent to labs for analysis. As evidence mounts and this disastrous backlog grows, rapists continue to wander our streets looking for their next victim.

That's why I've introduced Senate Bill 439, which would impose a strict 30-day policy on the evaluation of all DNA samples. Doing so will help keep more people safe and give justice to even more crime victims. By processing items in an efficient, timely manner, we can bring dangerous criminals to justice and provide closure to brave survivors.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

Assemblyman Martin Garrick Issues Statement on Budget Passage

I am pleased to announce that the Assembly Republican Caucus recently redesigned and updated my Assembly website. On the site you will find information regarding legislation that I have introduced, press releases, news articles and multimedia links. More importantly, you will find information on how to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. The newsletter is a great way to get inside information on what’s happening in Sacramento and allow me to communicate with you without having to spending valuable taxpayer dollars on postage. I encourage everyone to visit the site at: http://www.arc.asm.ca.gov/member/74/.

I would also like to invite everyone to my upcoming “community coffee” on March 12th in Solana Beach. Please contact my office at (760) 929-7998 for more
information.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick serves the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside as the Assemblyman for the 74th District.