This is why second chance should be giving to people like Juan Martin, who is now 30, living under the bridge of Miami because of a crime he convicted 12 years ago. A crime that Martin claims he did not commit. He was only 19 at the time, who flashes a 16 years old and spend 2 years in jail. He now has a criminal record that show sex offender, forcing him to call under bridge home. So how is flashing a teenage girl, when he is only 19 the same as child pornography, rape, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse? I feel that laws pertaining to sex offender should be revised to consider age of criminal and the offense committed.
In the state of Washington the law states that criminals who are convicted as sex offender at ages 17 and up is sentenced the same according to Spokane Sheriff’s Department (SSD). That means that criminal’s who are 19 like Martin was at the time is charge the same as he would if he committed this crime at age 30. This I disagree with because at age 30 you should know better. You have more life experience to know what is right from wrong. Washington legal age to be considered as an adult is 18. Dartmouth News study shows that scientists have learned and proven significant changes in brain structure continue after age 18 and does not start developing adulthood before age 18. So why not change the charges to broader age range to be fair, clear and serves justice. Criminal’s who has committed a sex offense crime receives this label on their record for life which is not fair to Martin who was 19 at the time. I feel that at age 19 it should be a lesson well learned. For someone like Martin who ‘s life was ruined and could not start over because society would not give him the opportunity base upon what is on his record and not even knowing what type or kind of offense he committed.
Pierce County Sheriff (PCS) websites says that there are 3 types of offense. There’s level 1 which states that they are a low risk to the community and the likely hood of them committing this crime again is minimal. Most of the criminal have successfully participated in a program and for some of them this is their first offense. Level 2 offenses is a criminal who has a moderate risk to the community and more than likely to reoffend if compared to Level 1. Some of these criminal have fail to attend treatment and won’t take drugs to change lifestyle so they can prevent this crime from happening again. Level 3 offenders are a threat to the community. Most have previous sex crime history and fails to seek treatment. Now if I did not look at PCS website I would never knew there was such classification.
PCS create a website by law they need to post pictures and the kind of offense, but not clearly stating what kind of offense besides the levels next to their pictures for citizens to beware who lives by them. But all of this is just levels of offense and not clearly stating the kind of offense and age during commitment. It’s sad to see that sex offender definition on PCS is so broad. It could be kidnapping, rape, child molestation etc. all label under sex offenders. PCS may charge each crime differently, but on criminal record it’s labeled under one category. If Martin criminal background check was stated differently besides sex offender then maybe he would be able to get a job and be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. People may take his offense lightly if they knew more about his offense.For me taking someone’s privileges away for life because of a crime they commit at a young age is harsh.
I feel that the law is just not fair to sex offenders. They do deserve to be punishing, but there should be a barrier between age and the type of crime is committed. The law needs to be revised to give opportunity for people like Martin to start over once they fulfilled their sentenced so that instead of living out in the streets because of a crime that they committed is not clear they can be given a second chance to get a job and afford housing to better themselves in society.
"Sex Offender Registration Program Information." Sex Offender Registration Program Information. 30 May 08. 4 Aug. 08
Knapp, Susan. "Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research." Brain changes significantly after age 18, says Dartmouth research. 6 Feb. 06. 31 July 08
"Registered Sex Offenders In Spokane County." 2 Oct. 07. 31 July 08 http://scso.spokanesheriff.org.
1 comment:
In your opening, it seems like you're comparing apples and oranges in terms of offenses: one is a right (choosing to fail a class) and the other is not (choosing to abuse another human). I am having a hard time making that jump.
Still a lot of usage errors/ typos/ verb tense issues...
"In the state of Washington the law states that" -- watch careless phrasings like this.
I also fail to see how age makes a difference here. If I am 19, then I should know about not harming another individual -- period. The only case I can see for this making a difference is perhaps if there is a developmental issue involved. You don't mention that at all.
Overall, this is not as strong as previous efforts. It feels very rushed and not very well proofed. Also, the argument seems pretty weak, both in the sense of what it seems like you are arguing and the organization/ transition in it.
LP
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