3 ms·
Are you aware that an estimated 1/4 of all registered sex offenders were themselves minors when they committed their offense? And age 14 is the single year tha
by btilly 5y ago
Are you aware that an estimated 1/4 of all registered sex offenders were themselves minors when they committed their offense? And age 14 is the single year that you're most likely to become a registered sex offender?
I fully understand and appreciate the purpose of our laws. The practice, however, is a different story. And unless we stop including as crimes things that I'm not willing to consider crimes, I can't support the way that "registered sex offender" is routinely used to destroy lives over childhood mistakes.
- withinboredom 5y agoOr the number of registered sex offenders for peeing on the side of the interstate.
- tcgv 5y agoI wasn't aware of that, it's suprising and sad. Thanks for pointing that out.
- btilly 5y agoIt is not so surprising when you consider how many laws have fixed age limits. For example a 13 year old sends an intimate picture to a 14 year old friend, the 14 year old has just committed a crime by having that picture. The law is intended to target adult pedophiles. But when the people involved are basically the same age, it isn't pedophilia!
- notch656a 5y agoYeah not to mention no mens rea is needed for statutory rape. That is a 17 y/o could show you a passport and DL with her age as 18, and tell you and look like she is 18, yet you would still be convicted. Hardly any other crime has this kind of strict liability where honest and thorough due diligence doesn't absolve you of the crime.