|
This weekend a judge in Texas ruled that convicted sex offenders must post signs which read "Danger! Registered Sex Offender Lives Here." in their front yards. These are to go hand in hand with bumper stickers which read "Danger! Registered Sex Offender in Vehicle."
This was the ruling of State District Judge J. Manuel Banales of Corpus Christi, Texas. There will be spot checks conducted by authorities to ensure that offenders comply with these regulations.
All of this happened on Saurday, 19th May, when Judge Banales called 55 registered sex offenders into court to be made aware of the 'new' conditions of their probation. By days end twenty-one were given the bumper stickers and 18-by-24 inch signs.
"The whole idea is that everybody is looking at you. You have no one else to blame but yourself," said Judge Banales.
The remaining offenders, not made to comply, were ordered to send letters to every neighbor within three blocks of their home, in which they identified themselves as sex offenders. Their offences ranged from aggravated assualt to indecency with a child.
Under Texas law a convicted sex offender is required to register with the local law enforcement agencies and have their names and photos posted on the internet. The Department of Public Safety then sends postcards to neighbors of offenders considered high risk.
Supporters claim that the 'postings' are just practical ways of implementing what is already required by law. Opponants say it is a constitutional rights violation and an unfair and dangerous practice.
I have to admit I found this a little shocking. I am the last person in the world who will argue with anything which is being done to make the community aware of potential high risk offenders. Too many times awareness could have been the mode of prevention. But this.... I'm not sure where I stand on this. The judge certainly has a point, they made their bed now let them lay in it. If the thought of incarceration does not deter them perhaps shame will. The question is how long will they be 'laying' here. Not long I'll wager. I just cant see this standing up to the hoard of challenges it is going to face from Constitutional Rights Activisits and the Civil Liberties Union. Then again this IS Texas, so who's to say.
The question here I think is where to we draw the line? How do we make it clear and discernable, and still with the realm of all that is constitutional?
Questions of vigilantism arise. Community abuse. What about the families of convicted offenders? Should they be discriminated against? Certainly not. But I think its fair to say that whatever procedures that are put in place in relation to public sex offender registries, the families are in no instance going to be able to escape the wave of what is sure to be extremely unpopular opinion. I understand that many of these men were probably convicted of something akin to statutory rape, 20 year old men sleeping with 16 year old girls, and should not have to endure the same kind of shame that child molesters do. But where is the line to be drawn and who draws it? You have a delicate balance to achieve....the rights of these men or the lives of the children. I think if one side has to get the short end of the stick there's no doubt which side that should be. But should this go as far bringing back the 'Scarlett Letter' of two centuries ago? I'm interested in your views on the matter. So drop me a line.
|
