Defense Prospective on Sex Offender Registration

With the high rise in the number of sex offenders who are also repeated offenders the federal government decided to impose laws requiring all convicted sexual offenders to register with the states in which they live. Although this measure is controversial, government officials are claiming that it is definitely an increasingly effective approach to avoiding re-offending in some of the most serious criminals. Is this an invasion of privacy that the states and politicians have imposed upon someone who has served their sentence, or is this a legitimate measure of control for a few of society's most dangerous offenders?

At some point in time, it became acceptable for the federal government to trace former criminals; in requiring them to register as an offender, they're essentially tracking the criminal. They are doing nothing in excess of monitor closely their whereabouts, actions, friends, lifestyle, etc. How this came to be is kind of scary, while it has occurred for a crime that fits the punishment, after all our children should be protected. It also comes with a price. Many people see this as an intense invasion of privacy and human rights, and in Europe under the banner of the European Convention on Human Rights, such procedures would almost never be allowed.

Since beginning this and requiring that all sexual offenders register with their respective states, it opens the door for criminals of other crimes to be required to register. Once that happens, it allows the governments to start requiring slowly that everybody be registered for one reason or another. Is this something that the people are willing to let happen? Should the government have full knowledge and control over where you go, who your friends are and where you work?

Many feel that the laws for sexual offenders are not stiff enough; they call for stricter punishments and heavier penalties for these most despicable of criminals. This comes from the side of people who want to seek nothing greater than revenge. At the same time, if someone commits a crime whom is sent for mental help, rather than jail they aren't required to register. Their offenses are recorded differently, and their punishment is much easier.

The Law Offices of Michael A. Dye, P.A. has significant experience handling serious criminal offenses in Broward County, Florida. For more information, please call (954)745-5848 or visit http://AlcoholAndDrugLaw.com