The National Sex Offender Public Website allows users to search for sex offenders by name or location. While it’s certainly a handy tool for concerned parents everywhere, it is worth noting that not everyone listed is on there for partaking in nonconsensual sex—or even partaking in what the general public considers sexual activities at all.
At Leader & Leader P.A., we have more than 70 years of combined experience dealing with criminal offenses. If you need a qualified criminal attorney in Fort Lauderdale, call our office today at 954-523-2020 to arrange an initial consultation.
- Urinating in Public
According to Human Rights Watch’s list of sex offender laws, there are at least 13 states that require registering on the official sex offender list for public urination. Only two of those states specify that the act must occur in front of a minor.
- Taking Naked Photos of Yourself as a Minor
Texting has grown incredibly popular in recent years thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, and its X-rated counterpart, which consists of sending risqué messages or nude photographs—sometimes referred to as “sexting”—is popular across all demographics; however, teenagers need to be wary of landing themselves on the sex offender registry by taking part. According to HRW, teenagers who take nude photos of themselves and then share them—even if they do so willingly—could get charged with counts of child pornography and ultimately end up on the list of registered sex offenders.
In one incident, a 15-year-old girl took nude photos of herself in 2004 and posted them online. Authorities proceeded to charge her with spreading child pornography, and she was still a registered sex offender eight years later.
- Hugging Children
When a girl accused a boy at her elementary school for trying to hug her too much, that boy found himself on the list of registered sex offenders. Though there has been recent momentum in the fight against children registering as sex offenders, this particular individual had to resort to suing his home state in order to fight the law requiring him to register in the first place.
- Having Consensual Sex With a Teenager
If You Need a Qualified Criminal Lawyer
When people hear the term “sex offender,” it’s only natural to assume the worst. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone on the registry is necessarily a sexual predator.
At Leader & Leader, we help clients who have been accused of criminal offenses. If you need a criminal attorney in Fort Lauderdale, call us today at 954-523-2020, and let us know what we can do for you.
