Juvenile Sex Offenders
Checkpoint: Rough Draft of the Research Paper 1
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Dawn French
Checkpoint: Rough Draft of the Research Paper
Com 220
July 7, 2010
Checkpoint: Rough Draft of the Research Paper 2
Juvenile sex offenders are frequently treated in the same manner as their adult counterparts with regards to punishment and sex offender registering. “Nationally, juvenile sex offenders make up 20% of all individuals charged with sexual offenses (McGinnis, 2006).” Placing a sex offender label on a juvenile may unjustifiably put restrictions on his or her opportunities in adulthood so it is for this reason that cases involving juvenile sex offenders should be prosecuted cautiously. The term “sex offender” is a broad term that should be reassessed. Should an individual convicted of a violent rape be treated in the same manner as a 10 year-old child who exposes himself or herself to another child, unaware of the seriousness of his or her actions? Should both of these offenses be considered sex crimes? It is a requirement in some states that the offender in both of these cases register as a sex offender. These two scenarios are entirely different and to include both of the offenders in one category is unjust. What is the meaning of the term “sex offender”? A “generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution” is the definition for the term “sex offender” according to The Free Dictionary (2010). This is a universal term that places offenders of numerous types of crimes into one group. Assigning levels of offenses would be a more realistic way of dealing with this universal term of “sex offender”. If an individual (such as a child exposing himself or herself to another child) commits a “minor” sex offense, he or she would be labeled as just an “offender” where if someone commits a violent and horrific crime (such as rape) “sex
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Dawn French
Checkpoint: Rough Draft of the Research Paper
Com 220
July 7, 2010
Checkpoint: Rough Draft of the Research Paper 2
Juvenile sex offenders are frequently treated in the same manner as their adult counterparts with regards to punishment and sex offender registering. “Nationally, juvenile sex offenders make up 20% of all individuals charged with sexual offenses (McGinnis, 2006).” Placing a sex offender label on a juvenile may unjustifiably put restrictions on his or her opportunities in adulthood so it is for this reason that cases involving juvenile sex offenders should be prosecuted cautiously. The term “sex offender” is a broad term that should be reassessed. Should an individual convicted of a violent rape be treated in the same manner as a 10 year-old child who exposes himself or herself to another child, unaware of the seriousness of his or her actions? Should both of these offenses be considered sex crimes? It is a requirement in some states that the offender in both of these cases register as a sex offender. These two scenarios are entirely different and to include both of the offenders in one category is unjust. What is the meaning of the term “sex offender”? A “generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution” is the definition for the term “sex offender” according to The Free Dictionary (2010). This is a universal term that places offenders of numerous types of crimes into one group. Assigning levels of offenses would be a more realistic way of dealing with this universal term of “sex offender”. If an individual (such as a child exposing himself or herself to another child) commits a “minor” sex offense, he or she would be labeled as just an “offender” where if someone commits a violent and horrific crime (such as rape) “sex
References: Beck, V. S., & Travis, L. F. (2006). Sex Offender Notification: A Cross-State Comparison. Police Practice and Research, 7(4), 293-307. Retrieved May 3, 2008, from EBSCOhost (AN 22391250). Craun, S. W., & Kernsmith, P. D. (2006). Juvenile Offenders and Sex Offender Registries: Examining the Data Behind the Debate [Electronic version]. Federal Probation, 70(3), 45-49. from EBSCOHost (AN 26902392). Family Watchdog. (2008). National sex offender registry. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.familywatchdog.us/ Freeman-Longo, R. (2000, August). Myths and Facts About Sex Offenders. Retrieved March 28, 2008, from http://www.csom.org/pubs/mythsfacts.pdf Johnson, James L. (2006). Sex offenders on federal community supervision: factors that influence revocation. Federal Probation, 70 (1), 18-32. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from EBSCOHost (AN 23437690). Matson, S. (1999, October). Sex Offender Registration: Policy Overview and Comprehensive Practices. Retrieved March 28, 2008, from http://www.csom.org/pubs/sexreg.pdf The Free Dictionary. (2008). Sex offender definition. Retrieved April 24, 2008, from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sex+offender