Florida Today: Not all sex offenders are the same. It’s time we reform how we treat them
Florida Bar Association President Michelle Suskauer recently penned a column published in FLORIDA TODAY about needs for reforming the criminal justice system. In her piece, she focused on a number of important issues about mental health, curbing recidivism, re-entry, sentencing and much more.
Missing among these targets for reform, however, is the ever-present quagmire dealing with sex offenders, a topic most politicians and justice officials prefer to ignore. Suffice to say, the very term “sex offender” presents a vile image that calls for eternal condemnation of anyone within that category. When offenders finish serving time, they are required to register for life within law enforcement, even if they were not predatory. This goes for the federal as well as state systems.
A young man aged 19 who engages in consensual sex with a 15-or-16-year-old female will wear the Scarlet Letter for life, forever banished from living in specific locales within a certain distance from schools, parks, bus stops, or anywhere where youngsters gather. This doesn’t mention the inability to get jobs or housing because the condemnation is far reaching. That 19-year-old offender will sustain a life sentence even if not all behind bars.
Have we gone crazy?
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I would like to share my story :
In April of 97 was charged with a sexual misconduct with a minor a class c felony in that year I got another felony aggravated battery a b felony
Well I got convicted in April of 98 and the crime was to run consecutive with the battery case which I-got sentenced right afterwards ok all of this occurred in Indiana now the crime back then was not even on the registry so the judge imposed no special stipulation upon me. Also the judge was the one who said you had to or not. Well in June of 98 they changed the law putting my charge on the list to register but it says if you was convicted after June you had to register but if it was before you do not. Well any way I get out of prison and within a week of being of being off in-house detention I went to see my probation officer well he releases me. Get a letter from parole board saying I have parole for the aggravated battery ok. So go see him he does not once recognized that I’m there on the violence charge all he wants to concentrate on is the Sex case we’ll argue and argue and he wins telling me state overrides county well have to register now. In short I get violated 5 times and beat only 3 of the 5. Ok I get out for good now after being sent back and making me homless denied my address well have to stay in prison longer than my outdate so get out and notice I have a failure to register on my packet with time served, so we are now have some bull going on. Ok in 2007 Indiana pass a law saying that registry was unconstitutional so they are supposed to release all who was not required to register so I get my hands on a email stating that Brett Michael from igg. P pfpponkkpkjppkdoc who say who is on or not well the email say that their was no stipulation from the judge saying I had to do it. So he take it upon himself and does not remove me , so I leave Indiana and head to South Carolina where then I moved to Florida well Florida and South Carolina said if I can prove that I got released from ten years of being on the registry when I should not of been on it at all 10 years! Well I get this paper and get lied to again Florida says that they would but South Carolina won’t so Florida says that they can’t due to South Carolina so I call Indiana and ask what happens if I go back to Indiana now here is the funny part they tell me since I’m coming from Florida that I’m now under Florida guidelines of a life time registry now how can I get convicted for a case that was not required to register to a lifetime of registry well I find a loop hole where Indiana is allowing the exposto facto- well call a lawyer and they see that the law back then shows that I was not required to register but they tell me that the state attorney won’t abide by this so I’m coming up on my birthday and I am no longer going to do this no more I can’t handle this crap and my end game is going to occur so to whom is reading this I hope that they don’t have to endure this crap cause I am no longer going to be having to register where I am going so to all my family see you in another place peace out. 4life
I’m one of the “older” RSOs. I was 45 when I committed my offense and my victim was 13. My actions turned many lives upside down and hurt friends and family on all sides of the offense. I don’t complain about the restrictions I live with as I placed myself in this situation. My addiction started with “regular” pornography and wild no holes barred sexual behaviors. I progressed to child porn which I allowed to lead me down the hole to molesting my victim. I am NOT proud of or indifferent to the severity of my offense.
What I take issue with is that some of the folks commenting above seem to believe that because their situation was different than mine, that they were closer in age to their victims, that they’re more able to live a “normal” life and shouldn’t be on a registry for life. That their offense was “better” than mine or “not as bad”.
Sorry guys, or gals, I don’t agree. I was a single parent to 2 children, a son and a daughter. I raised them to be honorable, responsible adults. Our house always had more than just my kids there. My daughter had two “besties” that were there so much that they had their own drawers in an extra dresser in her room. These now grown women (mid 30’s) still keep contact with me. They come over along with my daughter & grandkids and bring their children. I started my downward spiral when my children were grown.
I have worked DILIGENTLY in all my counseling and rehab programs and stay involved in them after completing them. I work every day at maintaining my awareness of where I was and how I got there and where I am now in my behaviors. I have come to understand how I ALLOWED my life to spiral down that low and what I have to do now to be successful in life.
I don’t differentiate myself from ANY other RSO. I served 3 years, (actually 37 months and 13 days but who’s counting) in prison and have completed over half of my probation. My officer is respectful to me and my wife and likes the fact that they only have to think about me when I check in monthly.
I served my time and met offenders that will NEVER be safe enough to live in public. Electronic monitoring and even 24 hour in person monitoring would not be adequate. They are the RSOs that are safer, both for themselves and the public, in a secure monitoring program. I know that I’ll ruffle a lot of feathers with that statement but I’ve lived this from the inside. I’ve also met a large number of RSOs that are in the same category that I place myself in. The bottom line in all of this is the simple fact that we’re ALL Registered Sex Offenders and we’re all viewed with the same fear and disdain. Can the system be improved? ABSOLUTELY!! I feel that EACH offender should be evaluated INDIVIDUALLY and their restrictions and presence on ANY registry should be based on their individual merits.
The registry and associated restrictions should NOT be one size fits all but to say that because one RSO was younger (note: ALWAYS above 18 only. Under 18 shouldn’t be on any registry) than another or that the age differential with their was less that they automatically deserve different treatment is wrong.
Roger I agree with you. In a fight like this we can’t divide and let them conquer by saying these offenses are not as bad as those. Saving yourself to throw everybody else under the bus. Every case is different as every individual is different. I agree with Bobby’s post that an individual risk assessment per case/per individual is essential. Let the courts determine through due process once a sentence is completed. It should be risk based and not offense based. People make mistakes and people work hard to truly change their life. We fight this together and we win or lose this together.
Debbie, thoughtfully and well said!!!!
Roger I am sorry that you feel certain comments were directed to you because of your age and your victims age. One, I have a sex offences on me I was not saying my crime is less or more than yours I was 19 who had a 14 year girlfriend. Two, I was just pointing out that I should not be subjected to a Life time Registry because a 4 year and 3 month years gap between her age and mine. Three, Help me understand how a 45 year old man can look at a Pre-teen or teenage girl and what to have sex with her? I don’t buy porn influence you. There is some type of porn in the Theaters these days, on Netflix channel and on Educational Channels I am 48 years old I ride the City bus and City train and I see pre-teen and teenager girls on these rides as well as other riders. I can’t understand or wrapped my head around the idea of having sex with anyone under 18 years old. Four, I mention ages groups because a 18-20 year old are still immature, and lack wisdom. On the other hand, An older adult say 30ish and up and gain mature and wisdom and they know better. I AM NOT JUDGING YOU OR ANYONE ElSE. Please forgive me If you feel I am pointing the finger. I was just saying I am tired of being on the Sex offender Registry due to another person’s behavior. There should be a better system that should Classified those who are true threats and those who aren’t. I agree with Debbie It should be risk based and not offense based. However, I am glad that you was willing to have an open Dialog and speak what was on your mind, now likewise. Please accept what I had to say and what was on my mind as well.
i respectfully don’t see it that way. It has been proven scientifically that a male brain takes until the age of the mid 20’s, give or take a year to fully develop physically and make adult decisions.
Very good reply…. The point I was trying to make was there is a huge gap between thought patterns between a young adult male and older adult male. I am not saying an 18-20 year should not be punished for their behavior but should be giving another chance to prove themselves,On the other hand If I commit a sex offence now being 48 years old the book should be throw at me. One, My thought pattern is now wiser, I know the behavior of my actions could result in jail stay.Two, I know the right and wrongs about underage sex not because I am on some state Registry. Three, a preteen or teenage girl has nothing to offer, No job, no money nothing. I am not saying my crime is better than another persons. I just saying there should be a better way to classify sex offenders. WE all have that label, We all are hated. But just think about this for a moment We all on the Sex offender list Because of another person’s behavior since 1994!!!
Have we gone crazy? No, it’s been insane from the beginning t o not require some kind of psychological testing for the people we put in these positions who are making these decisions for all of us.
There are clearly many of them using the system to abuse others. Creating sexual offenders is insane! Why do we have these insane people working in our system? Why are they not being held accountable for the disgusting, stupid things they are doing?
Many of these sex sting operations are a huge lie to the public and a huge scam. I’m talking about blatant lies. I have proof.
The disgusting people who are using our tax dollars to do that need to be held accountable.
You want to know why? Ask those benefiting from it such as Senator Lauren Book! She’s made an entire career of being a “professional victim” and parlayed her alleged abuse into a profitable career!
Sure countless people suffer needlessly and are robbed of years of their lives but so what as long as she and daddy have nice fat bank accounts at the end of the day!
It’s a big lie and an un-American. It is a national disgrace that a few have been allowed to create a second class of American citizens!
SHAME ON LAUREN BOOK AND ALL THE OTHERS LIKE HERE WHO PROFIT FROM THEIR HATE!