Sun, 1 Mar 2015

Sex Offenders Must Register With State Authorities


Rape, molestation and child abuse - these are examples of crimes that are so abominable that it's hard for people to imagine how any human being could carry out such acts. Sadly it does happen, and it happens every day all over the world.

That's why the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act or SORNA has a firm stand on the idea that sex offenders must register with state authorities for years after released from prison.

Sex offenders are notorious for committing crimes of the same nature when they are allowed to go free. Although there are programs to rehabilitate sex offenders, most fall into the same pattern and commit a sex crime within a year after they are set free from prison.

The SORNA dictates that sex offenders must register with state authorities for years after released from prison for reasons of easy tracking should the need arise. This makes it easy for the local authorities to determine where these sex offenders are and easily locate them for questioning if an incident arises in their immediate vicinity.


Logic Behind Why Sex Offenders Must Register


Now some may say that this law that states that sex offenders must register with state authorities for years after released from prison may seem unfair and unjust. There is some logic behind it though. By allowing the authorities to quickly narrow down all of the likely suspects, the perpetrator can easily be caught and put behind bars as well. It may seem like a hassle for those who have already fully reintegrated into society as an upstanding citizen, but the likelihood of some sex offenders falling back into their old sins is always present.

Some may also say that this act may lead to excessive discrimination to first time sex offenders who may have committed minor crimes. These minor crimes may include anything from public urination to flashing their privates in public. Although these are still considered sex acts, they don't really pose that much of a danger to the public.

There are also sex offenders that have become fully rehabilitated that may be unfairly discriminated against through the SORNA. But the bottom line is that these individuals knowingly committed the crime and must pay society for it.


Three Tiers Under The SORNA Act


There are three tiers under the SORNA which categorizes sex offenders according to the gravity of their offenses.

Tier 1 pertains to minor crimes that are not included in Tiers 2 and 3. These crimes may include public indecency and urination. Crimes that are not violent in nature. Nonetheless, an offender must still register for 10 years and undergo a rehabilitation program.

Tier 2 offenses, on the other hand, are sexual offenses that are punishable by imprisonment. Offenses involving sex trafficking, sexual coercion, and enticement or sexual abuse of a minor are considered Tier 2 offenses. Transporting another person for criminal sex activity, soliciting minors to perform sexual activities or to go into prostitution, as well as producing or distributing pornography involving children are also included in Tier 2 offenses. For any person convicted of a Tier 2 offense, a 25 year registration to SORNA and reporting is required.

Now, for Tier 3 sexual offenses, these are considered as the most heinous sexual crimes. These are crimes that involve kidnapping a minor. Sexual acts, whether aggravated or abusive, towards the abducted minor is considered a Tier 3 offense. Offenders who are convicted under Tier 3 are required to report for life and should register with the local authorities in any area whose jurisdiction they fall into when they move.


Up To 30 Years In Prison If Not Register


Failure to register under the SORNA can also lead to severe punishment. Those who fail to register or renew their registration face a stiff penalty including fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years. Sex offenders who commit sexual crimes and fail to register under the SORNA face an even stiffer penalty of up to 30 years in prison as well as the fines associated with it.

This is a good move to efficiently monitor the activities of these sex offenders and reduce the risk of any untoward incidents happening again in the future. There are still those, however, who do not approve of the SORNA which dictates that sex offenders must register with state authorities for years after released from prison.

Any sex offenders among your neighbors?



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