Sex-offender registry misguided thinking | Op-Ed | Kentucky.com

 

At first I thought I knew where I stood on this one. But now I'm not so sure. Maybe they could add a provision where he isn't able to represent anyone under the age of 18?

Interesting. I have always had an issue with the sex offender registry because of the lack of distinguishing between crimes. For example, I get if you rape a young child. But if you have intercourse with a 15 year old and you are 18 but get accused and convicted and required to be on the list, you are right there with young child rape guy. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

Beyond sex offender laws I have always had a problem with people that pay their debt to society yet are still denied access to X, Y, and Z.

Interesting. I have always had an issue with the sex offender registry because of the lack of distinguishing between crimes. For example, I get if you rape a young child. But if you have intercourse with a 15 year old and you are 18 but get accused and convicted and required to be on the list, you are right there with young child rape guy. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

Beyond sex offender laws I have always had a problem with people that pay their debt to society yet are still denied access to X, Y, and Z.

Playing DA here, but couldn't the denied access also be a part of "paying your debt"?

Beyond sex offender laws I have always had a problem with people that pay their debt to society yet are still denied access to X, Y, and Z.

Depends on the X, Y and Z...I don't want convicted Felons to be able to purchase firearms even after "Paying their Debt" or repeat DUI offenders to have the right to drive anymore...but I get what your saying as a whole.

Is the KY Bar restriction to all felony convictions or just Sex-Offender List? If it for all felonies then I don't know if this guy as a leg to stand on.

Interesting. I have always had an issue with the sex offender registry because of the lack of distinguishing between crimes. For example, I get if you rape a young child. But if you have intercourse with a 15 year old and you are 18 but get accused and convicted and required to be on the list, you are right there with young child rape guy. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

Beyond sex offender laws I have always had a problem with people that pay their debt to society yet are still denied access to X, Y, and Z.

 

You're correct & I agree with you.

 

Research has shown that sex-offender laws (i.e. not being able to live within 1,000 yards of a school) are counter-productive & actually increases recidivism by isolating the offender.

 

Unfortunately "Megan's Law" and other sex offense-related laws are largely based on public outcry (i.e. public's reaction & outcry to heinous crimes) and not objective data.

You're correct & I agree with you.

 

Research has shown that sex-offender laws (i.e. not being able to live within 1,000 yards of a school) are counter-productive & actually increases recidivism by isolating the offender.

 

Unfortunately "Megan's Law" and other sex offense-related laws are largely based on public outcry (i.e. public's reaction & outcry to heinous crimes) and not objective data.

 

I'd rather be safe than sorry in this instance and just keep the pedophiles away from the schools if that's OK, sorry if they feel alone and have their feelings hurt.

I've got no sympathy for this guy and his quest to sit for the Bar.

Playing DA here, but couldn't the denied access also be a part of "paying your debt"?

 

Sure it could. But something has to be said for trying to integrate those back in to every day society.

While it's tough to feel sorry for this cat, below is the problem I have, if accurate.

 

"Nowhere is this more evident than the sex-offender registry. Those who find themselves constituents of the registry are routinely and uniformly denied the same second chance afforded to so many other criminal defendants after they have served their sentences."

 

There's no database for thieves. There's no database for violent people. Why are these people less dangerous than sex offenders? And by no means am I saying to do away with the sex offender registry. In fact, make it a convicted felon registry and put them all out there.

 

I know you can find felons if you look but it's a heck of a lot easier to find sex offenders than others.

I always assumed that sex offender registry was for the protection of children. My assumption only.

I always assumed that sex offender registry was for the protection of children. My assumption only.

 

Right. But we'd like to also protect our children from known drug dealers, violent people...etc.

I always assumed that sex offender registry was for the protection of children. My assumption only.

 

How does it protect children?

I'd rather be safe than sorry in this instance and just keep the pedophiles away from the schools if that's OK, sorry if they feel alone and have their feelings hurt.

 

Your post exemplifies many of the problems I'm speaking of.

 

1. A sex offender is not the same as a pedophile.

 

2. The law does not prohibit a sex offender from entering school property, it simply prohibits them from living within an arbitrary distance of the school.

 

3. The law does absolutely nothing to protect children or prevent sexual offenses.

 

I realize that sex offenders are not a sympathetic group. I have no sympathy for someone that has created such a heinous act, either. But that doesn't mean we should disregard objective data and logic so that we, the public, can THINK that we are safer.

How does it protect children?

 

I have no idea. That's why I said my assumption only.