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?
Discover more from Florida Action Committee
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I still favor an individualized risk assessment which is what some Federal courts find to be lacking in State registry schemes. Should be done post sentence. Implement one and do it correctly, and I can bet the registry would come down to around 5% of individuals only having to register. But then again, the money in federal funds is more important to them. Bloat it up and collect $$$.
I sent an email to the writer thanking him for putting some truth out there. I kept it short and sweet and he responded with a thank you. Perhaps it might be important to let people know who do speak up to just let them know it is appreciated. When I see future articles I will continue do this. Appreciation is motivation. Thank you to this site as well!
crazy?..no…stupid?..yes…… but no different then the slave hanging days and witch burning. It is the American way..
I was 18, sting operation. Fake victim was 14.
I was stupid, lured by an older woman – I was into older women.
Never came in contact with “victim”, was deemed consensual.
Youthful Offender, 2 years probation, released after 1, adj withheld, not a felon – but an SO….
Let’s be real, how many 18+ High school/College males are having sex with underage females? Actual sex. Not saying it is okay.
We all know the stereotype. Im grouped with older men who have done terrible things. No second chances. Gave up on a “career”. My neighborhood tried to kick me out, unsuccessfully. Constant fear of police sirens. Constant fear of my safety, and my family’s.
Wrote letters to representatives, senators, the President – all wasted time. Contacted 100 lawyers hoping relief in other states or countries, so far nothing. Many of them just want your money, they don’t really care – even the ones who FAC recommends. Yup, I’ve contacted them.
I am just about the “best case” sex offender out there.. and I am losing hope. Its been 5-10 years, no relief. Only more restrictions.
An officer comes to my door twice per year, checks my ID, and leaves. Do they really think that’s preventing me from reoffending?
Im taking another swing at contacting Trump. Hate him or love him, he is our best bet to at least address this ridiculous registry.
@ Youthful—
Brother, I HATE to see someone so young and full of life as yourself having to deal with this. These sting operations going on all over Florida for the past 10+ years are nothing but a SCAM and and financially motivated and they WON’T STOP until someone hits them where it hurts–the money. But nobody will be able to do that. So there is NO STOPPING the law enforcement thugs or the clueless greedy politicians who are fueling this and allowing it……
I too wrote then candidate-Trump back in 2016, to no avail as you said. The problem is my young friend, that once people see the term “sex offender” by your name, they FREAK OUT and totally shut down after that and basically flat out don’t give a damn about anything you have to say. And of course, Trump is not the FIRST person to get that piece of mail, so it ends up in someone else’s hands and it probably never makes it to his desk, sorry to say. But hey man, keep trying. Flood the white house with your letters and also the senators and reps of Florida too. Consider that. Would you be willing to post a copy of your letter so I can model it after mine and maybe we can send them together or something??
I too was arrested in a sting when I was 28 years old back in 2011. It ruined my life. I was a teacher and a coach and I dedicated my life to serving young people like yourself and now my life is ruined. To make matters worse, the FDLE detective that oversaw mine and many other of the sting operations, was arrested and sentenced in 2016 for molesting 3 eight-year old boys. He’s in Federal prison now. He may have been the guy that interrogated you in the sting operation you were in. His name is Chuck McMullen. Look him up!! I too have asked lawyers for help, and you’re right, all they care about is your money!! That’s what this WHOLE THING IS ABOUT—MONEY!! This is a greedy ass mother-f**kin country and I hate it.
But I digress….it’d be so nice to get a lawyer who could help us get our cases overturned because the detective that was the chief witness against us, was arrested for something far worse than what we did. Me and you have NO VICTIM!!—He had 3!!!!
In any event Youthful, when I was in prison, I saw sooooo many young guys in there in their late teens and early 20s who were caught up in the same shit and the legal system had eaten their lunch and now their lives were ruined. It broke my heart.
I am so sorry about your plight my man. Don’t give up. I know it’s hard, but keep fighting and keep writing. Maybe one day we will get our justice!! Take care brother.
Any article pointing out the stupidity of the clusterf^k aka the Florida sex offender registry is welcome!
It would also greatly benefit the general population that the registry doesn’t help keep anyone safe and if anything it simply provides a false sense of security because as the facts show without a doubt is is NOT someone listed on any list or registry who is a danger but rather someone the child or family already knows!
Another major problem is the scare factor of the number of so called offenders listed for Florida. The truth is that LESS THAN HALF LISTED actually live in Florida!!
If they removed all of the offenders who are listed on the Florida sex offender registry but are not actually present in Florida the list would be CUT IN HALF!
I am complete agreement separate us from those who commit crimes with children. A 19 year with 14 year old girlfriend who tells you she 18 should not be in the same fruit bowl as a 45 or 55 years old man doing something to someone under 18 or 12 years old
I agree too hopefully some help is comming