Wisconsinrsol I agree why is it that sex offenders are the ones that get the worst sentences, probation, the registry, etc. What makes a murderer, robber any different. They all have committed crimes. As long as they pay the price, get help then they should all be given the same once their sentence is done. I pray if and when my husband gets out that things might be a bit different as he has quite a few years to go

Hurtinwife,

Welcome to the board.

You asked, " Wisconsinrsol I agree why is it that sex offenders are the ones that get the worst sentences, probation, the registry, etc"

The answer to that question is because politicians get a lot more political mileage out of sex offenders and sex crimes than any other crime. They use these crimes and their "tough on crime" stance to get elected and re-elected time after time.

They cannot do that with any other crime such as armed robbery, murder, DUIs, etc., because those crimes have not instilled the widespread and horrifying fear---actually panic--- in the public like sex offenses have. You can thank the media for the fear that sex offenses causes the public, especially the people who have children.

The politicians enact all these ridiculous laws and restrictions and the public says, "Thank you for protecting us from all the perverts and rapists, Mr. Politician. We will continue to vote for you because you keep us safe."

Besides, a rapist or child molester----which the public has been led to believe are the type of people who make up a great portion of the registry----are easy to hate. And society does not care if we hurt the ones we hate.

Smoke and mirrors.

rewdiazepam

This is a great discussion. It's our puritanical views on sex and our fear of anything related to sexualality that makes us think that sex crimes are so much worse than anything else. It needs to be treated like a mental illness whenever violence is not involved. Violent crimes are WAY worse than many sex offenses, including Josh Duggar's.

We treat far too many crimes in this country as purely criminal justice issues instead of the medical issues they are.

The War on Drugs was able to linger around because drug addiction was treated only---solely--- as a criminal justice issue and not the medical problem it really is. Any kind of substance abuse problem is a medical issue.

Yes, some drug addicts did commit crimes, but many of those crimes had been enhanced over the years to enact a punishment that far exceeded the crime. If it had been treated as a medical issue, with people convicted on drug charges getting medical treatment instead of the revolving door in our prison system, this country could have saved itself billions of dollars, with the added advantage of keeping families together.

This is the same problem we are having with low level sex offenses----most are not caused by offenders who are inherently evil, but by offenders who are dealing with some kind of mental disability, i.e. autism, OCD, or an out of control bipolar disorder.

But politics plays a big part of this "game"----and make no mistake, it is a game----and as long as politics is such a factor in our justice system, it will never change.

Now before some nitwit accuses me of coddling sex crimes or not wanting them punished, let me explain something. Punishment----within reason and with common sense----is fine, but let's get these people some medical help also. Nobody condones child rape or a serial child molester. If these types of people do not respond to treatment, then they have to be locked away for many, many years for the safety of the public, especially the kids.

As it is now, a potential offender cannot ask for medical help---because of mandatory reporting----nor can he expect to get help while in prison. I know in Oklahoma the SOTP program was discontinued several years ago because of budget shortages.

So the offender receives no help, more people are put at risk, children's' safety is compromised, and whole thing is just a complete mess.

There HAS to be a better way to handle these situations.

rewdiazepam

Well said Rew.

Agreed, well said Rew!

Find the best lawyer possible and confess to the lawyer. This it the only way. They are the only ones who have do not have to report. Attorney-client privilege is still legal. Also, the lawyer, then, can find the best route for you to approach confession and to avoid these horrible plea deals.

If you confess to the lawyer, if gives you a hand up because you are the first one bringing this to the table. Yes, you may get punishment, but if you broke the law, its not unrealistic to expect that. Perhaps doing it this way, you just might minimize the damage.

Exactly peek!

I agree with wisconsin. That said, I would do my best to handle it "in house". When I was growing up, you handled things within the family as much as was humanly possible. If I had known about my son before all hell broke loose, I would have done my best to help him, I would have taken away all his electronics, would have insisted on finding a counselor. I would NOT have turned him in, I could never throw on of my own to the wolves like that. Of course, I am a "mama bear", I would do my absolute best to protect my children.

I also agree with Wisconsin and REW - why this crime? Those reactions that someone can never be trusted again based on one particular experience is the same emotional knee-jerk reaction that got us all in this mess in the first place. Laws should be based on empirical evidence and NOT emotion. To lump everyone into the same category and say they can never be trusted again is removing their humanity