Sexual offender registration and Notification laws in the State of Florida - Essay Example

Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Laws in the Of Florida Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Laws in theState Of FloridaA heated debate ensued in class on the sexual offender registration and notification laws in the State Of Florida in which both sides presented valid points. Those against the laws proved that it is a disadvantageous law, for instance, it is a lifetime sentence that interfere with the offender’s 8th amendment. Even so, the proposing side had more valid points than the opposing side.

The law ensures that both the public and law enforcers have an increased awareness of criminal and sexual offenders. The coordinated efforts of Florida’s criminal justice and corrections organizations in the enactment of this legislation has helped reduce the occurrence of sexual offenses among the citizen population and visiting tourists. Sexual Offender Registration and Notification laws are beneficial in the state of Florida because they offer the community access to information significant to their ability to safeguard themselves and their families against sexual criminals.

The comprehensive national registration system for the registration of sexual offenders reacts to the brutal attacks by forceful sexual marauders on victims such as Jacob Wetterling and Megan Nicole Kanka. The law covers both those who are yet to start their sentence and those who have completed their criminal sentences. The aim is to keep track of the activities the sexual offenders partake and their current residence. This is essential to dissuade current offenders and future offenders. In addition, it ensures that residents are aware of the history of offenders and avert themselves from potential risks.

It is easy to enforce restrictions through the application of laws such as the Jacob Wetterling Act. For instance, sexual offenders should not stay next to school institution or near minors. These restrictions must be disparate from those that apply to probationers or parolees. Although critics may argue that the laws are too austere to rehabilitate criminals, sexual offenders still pose a threat to humanity and there is a need to monitor their activities and movement. ReferenceFlorida Department of Law Enforcement.

(December 18, 1998). 98-02: Guidelines to Florida Sex Offender Laws.