My clients would rather go to jail than register as sex offenders
When I first became a public defender, I believed the worst punishment that my clients would face would be time in jail. Since then, I’ve learned that incarceration is not the only — and perhaps not the worst — punishment the criminal justice system can impose. The registration requirements imposed on those convicted of sex offenses are unfairly harsh and punitive, though few recognize them as such.
I had always assumed that sex offender registration was limited to those who committed the most egregious and dangerous offenses. I had also trusted that the Supreme Court was right when, in 2003, it stated that sex offender registration laws are not punishments but merely administrative requirements to protect public safety.
But I realize now that many of my clients would choose to take on more jail time, more fees — anything to avoid being labeled a sex offender for life. That’s because our current sex offender registration laws apply an unbending and inhumane one-size-fits-all approach that does not prevent future sex crimes and in fact makes us all less safe.
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At this point, after thislong.Death the only relief.
Truer words were never printed. Had I been given the choice, and known what I know now, I would have chosen more prison time over SO probation and SO registration. Sadly, that choice was never presented to me, yet I witnessed first-hand, men accused of statutory rape being allowed to plead down to child abuse and avoid the SO moniker. There is no justice.
I read the entire above mentioned article at http://www.vox.com/2016/7/5/12059448/sex-offender-registry
It seems to me the author presented a case good enough to go before the Supreme Court to have the registry deemed punitive and unconstitutional. Maybe if we get more constitutional judges appointed by the Dems, we have a chance SCOTUS will hear the case.
Agreed. But how do we change it??
Omg! I love and adore this woman!
Ok, lets get this one straight from a RSO! You don’t want to be jailed as a Sex Offender. I was made to wear a ID Tag that identified myself to my charges in Orange County Jail pending Bonding out. The imates as well as CO’s threatened me. yelled at me and it was horrible. So just imagine spending hard time in a Florida Prison as a Sex Offender. You will isolated until they can work you into the general populas. Your life will be threatened constantly. If does not matter the severity of your crime, a Sex Offender in Jail is horrible. So if you are free, on probation or parole and a RSO consider it a blessing. Saying Jail is better that being a Registrant is utter nonsense. jv
Well we know all too well in Florida, not even jail won’t keep you off the registry once you’re sentenced. And none of us are ever given the choice, jail or register. It’s usually both and they aren’t asking us for any input. They put you on there right away whether you’re going to jail, prison, home or Piggly Wiggly. In Florida, not even Death can remove your name.