Petition to reform underage sex laws

Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2008-03-27 00:56

The petition is here. As we know, boys are much more likely to be prosecuted under differential underage sex laws than girls. In the case in question, it has a 16-YO boy branded a sexual predator for the mistake of believing a 13-YO girl when she told him she was nearly 16. Excerpt:

'The public defender that represented Ricky made it clear that going to trial could very well result in a 20 year prison term for the sexual abuse felonies he was charged with. Ricky was advised that if he pled guilty to one count of lewd or lascivious acts with a child, there would be a deferred judgment, he would not have to state a felony conviction on job applications and he would not have to register as a sex offender. But minutes before the plea hearing, Ricky was informed that the laws in Iowa had just changed and that the plea deal would include the requirement that he be registered as a sex offender for a period of 10 years. He wept at this devastating news but decided to take the plea deal anyway to avoid the possibility of a long prison term. A deferred judgment was issued on the charge of lewd or lascivious acts with a child and Ricky was sentenced to two years probation and was registered as a sex offender.'

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Comments

We have a rare opportunity to impact an issue we've discussed on numerous occasions.

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"The sunshine bores the daylights out of me.
Chasing shadows moonlight mystery."

[Rolling Stones]

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Submitted by anthony on Thu, 2008-03-27 01:42

I'm a UK resident. Can I use my Postcode in there? As its US law, can someone provide a random US zip code to use?

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Submitted by empirical on Thu, 2008-03-27 02:19

You can use any zip code. Use 11776. Its a NY zip code.
..........................................................

"The sunshine bores the daylights out of me.
Chasing shadows moonlight mystery."

[Rolling Stones]

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Submitted by anthony on Thu, 2008-03-27 02:30

Thanks anthony.

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Submitted by empirical on Thu, 2008-03-27 02:32

Best of luck to all on this; you will need it. Just in the Nebraska legislature this year and last year there are at least 5 bills regarding sex offenders law toughening. One will prohibit sex offenders visiting in all grade schools; another will bar sex offenders from certain jobs; another will create an additional offense of unlawful intercourse (so, if someone has intercourse with a 15 year old, not only will they be charged with felony II sexual assault of a child, but also felony II unlawful intercourse). Yet another bill will require more frequent registration (every 6 months) and, those who have a transient address will be required to register every month. The 10 year sex offender registration requirement will be lenghened to 15 years under yet another bill. There is also a push to raise the age of consent to 18, though this bill is only being drafted now.

I agree all of this is outragious and is being used for political gain. I'm finally realizing that there is very little that can stop it, since most of the public thinks that sex offenders are an epidemic. Cable and local news reinforces this idea. The Adam Walsh act will also be required in all 50 states; I doubt any state will allow federal funding to be forfeited. Unless the sex offenders themselves fight back in numbers, I can't see this trend changing.

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Submitted by tac0965 on Thu, 2008-03-27 18:29