RICHMOND — Should teenagers who exchange sexually explicit messages and photos face the same punishment as adults charged with producing and distributing child pornography?
The Virginia State Crime Commission is revisiting the teen sexting issue and may again consider legislation that would lessen penalties — primarily intended for pornographers — in consensual cases involving suspects who are minors. Full Article
Oh, wait what? Our sex offender laws are too over-broad and are now affecting those for whom it was never intended just like people said they would? Shocker!
No, no, forego all reason and keep pushing in the other direction, please. I can’t wait until the country is divided into two groups: Sex offenders and district attorneys.
You are correct of course, the absurdity of most of the offenses that can get someone labeled as a sex offender. They change with the times. In most states sodomy laws were on the books to discriminate against gays since they were only every applied and used against gays.
I personally am gay so at one time (still is some places) guilty of sodomy and thus a potential sex offender charge.
I have personally pissed behind trees, in allies, and along open highways (all when nature called and no official restrooms were around)…again, potential sex offender charge.
I have participated in streaking (ok now I am showing my age) while in college…again, public nudity and again, a potential sex offender charge.
I am sure I can think of a few more but the point is that ANYONE AND ACTUALLY MOST people have done SOMETHING at some point in their lives that could have resulted in them being placed on a sex offender registry!
Should they be? Should I be?