The only problem I see with the Sex Offender laws (national and local) is the failure to substantially differentiate between "action" and "possibility."  A person who is "hands-on" -- i.e., physically involved with the molestation, assault, or other direct participation -- in an unwanted sex act is, in my view, a sex offender.  This includes those who distribute any material that portrays such acts.

Someone who does it more than once is a sexual predator.

Now, whether I agree with it or not, your ordinary run-of-the-mill pornography -- whether hetero- or homosexual -- is not illegal.  Our counties even set up specific locations where adult bookstores (what do you think they're selling in there?) and adult clubs can legally set up shop and operate.  It's legal.  The guy who walks into that store and thumbs through one of the magazines, which later is found to have sexually-explicit photos of someone under the age of consent, is neither a sex offender nor a sexual predator.  (Ditto someone surfing an internet porn site that is later found to have photos of someone under the age of 18.)  Neither is the guy sitting in the club, enjoying a beer, and watching a stripper that is later found to be underage.

Distasteful?  Yes.  Criminal Offense?  No.  The OWNERS of those establishments are guilty of criminnal violations for distributing and facilitating.  But the poor schmuck who thumbed the magazine or watched the stripper didn't do any of those things.  It would be like labelling a person an alcholic for watching a beer or liquor commercial on TV (which is also legal).

Under my definitions (above), and considering the recidivism rate -- which is less than 50% -- sex offenders SHOULD be registered and report in person twice a year for 10 years following release from prison and completion of court supervision.  Sexual predators should be locked away ... period, end of statement.  They've REPEATED the offense and, by their actions, told the world they don't care about the law.  They will it drops on them like a ton of bricks.

A good many of the currently registered sex offenders won't fit my definitions, and -- if looked at individually and objectively, sans uncontrolled "emotional" assessment -- are absolutely no threat to the community.  They should come off the list.

Put the money into monitoring those that ARE a threat to our communities.  Free up our law enforcement assets to stay up with those who ARE "sex" offenders and predators.  But the current broad brushstroke that the law uses does little to protect the community and results in millions of wasted dollars and hours of manpower.

Just an idea ..... let the (to use Northton's favorite word) OUTRAGE begin.   LOL

Realamericanbiker:

 

There are many misconceptions concerning sex offenders for example 1. the law applies to 1000 ft of schools, churches, parks  in fact in many Florida counties the law says 2500 ft in Miami Beach sex offenders live under the Julia Tuttle (Bridge) because they have one other place to live! Besides being a violation of the constitutional right to home ownership, in the case of the church what if the Sex offender goes to that church??  How does that make children safe? 2. The registration law applies to sex offenders since 1996 that includes those who are no longer on probation (A violation of due process and in my opinion Probable cause). Remember 90% of offences against children are done by a first time offender and someone known the the children (IE Father, Mother, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, neighbors, etc) That's one in 9!   Can you imagine the sick dedication it takes to commit an offence knowing that when you get caught you will be marked for life??

Does everyone realize that when we say "sex offender" we are not talking about just child rapists? A sex offender is anyone when have committed a sexual offence. So many of the so called sex offenders may OR may-not involve a child! That is what's wrong with the law. How do you know who is some jerk like Pee-Wee Herman, or a cannibal like Jeffery Dalmer?