Identification of Sex Offenders

Discussion Boards are an important component of your coursework and will solidify your learning of the topics in each unit. Please refer to the Discussion Board Rubric in Doc Sharing for grading information.

When posting on the Discussion Board,

Communications must be professional and civil at all times. All posts must be done in an environment which is collaborative.

The goal of discussion is a free exchange of ideas and viewpoints with the freedom to disagree with one another in a respectful and thoughtful way.

Reread messages and posts before sending them to ensure that your contributions are positive and diplomatic in tone and content.

Topic: Some states maintain a website containing the names, and in some cases the present addresses, of convicted sex offenders.

Respond to the following questions in a single post on the Discussion Board. Do not be afraid to take a controversial position. Be sure to cite at least one legal authority supporting your position.

How do you feel about the free availability of such information to anyone with access to the Internet, regardless of “a need to know?”

Do you think such websites go too far, representing an improper violation of the convicted person’s privacy?

Do such statutes effectively continue punishment beyond the time prescribed in the penalty phase of the trial or plea bargain? Briefly comment.

Comment and discuss with the class.

Sex Offender Registry Law

Using your preferred start page for legal research, find your state’s law regarding registration of convicted sex offenders.

Read about the sex offender registry law in your state.

Were you aware of the registry law before this?

Does anything about the registry law surprise or disturb you?

Choose a state that maintains a registry list available to the public. Go to the registry site. What information is actually available?

Briefly outline the law regarding registration of sex offenders in a state of your choice. If you were on a state committee to review the law in that state, what changes would you suggest? Why?

Comment briefly on the Discussion Board, making specific reference to statutory provisions supporting your discussion points. What questions or comments do you have? Take notes or print a copy of your state’s registry law.”