Texas Sex Offender Law

Now this is interesting as it has good points on both sides. Basically it boils down to, if you're convicted of a sex crime, you may not live within one mile of anywhere where children congregate. That means malls, schools, certain stores, pretty much the entire town is off limits to sex offenders. Now, let's look at the problem from both perspectives.

I have many children in my life. God daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. They are all very dear to my heart. If you were to hurt one of them in any way other then an accidental bump or a spanking if you catch them doing something they aren't supposed to, I will make sure you are put into a hole so deep, they will NEVER find you. I've seen CSI and I'm a science and forensics geek, I can make it happen. So I can see why someone would pass a law like this, to "protect the children." You want to make sure that even the temptation of hurting a child isn't there. You want to make sure your children and grandchildren grow up in a safe, friendly environment. You don't have to argue this point with me, I'm completely on your side of thinking. However, let's take a look at the other side of the coin.

You've been convicted of a sex crime against a child. Now, in my state, this could mean that even if you were say 18 and she was 15, you could theoretically be convicted of Rape of a Child. This conviction will follow you around until the day you die. Job applications, security clearances, etc, will all show this conviction. It will make your life VERY difficult. Now, I ask each of you, if this person who's served his time and has gotten out of prison, any different then any other criminal? Should he be restricted to where he can and cannot go, even if he's finished with parole as well? Would you ask for the same restrictions on someone who's been convicted of Robbery? Grand Theft? Drug Dealing? I'm not excusing the crime, but don't we live in a society where there is "equal protection under the law?" I live in a state where if you are a high enough sex offender, the state may hold you, even past your sentence for an indefinite period of time. Where are the protesters for this law? I don't seem to remember Cindy Sheehan asking that we close down the Department of Corrections because we house high level sex offenders for an indefinite amount of time, even past their original sentences have expired.

So where does that leave me in this heated debate with myself? It's very difficult to defend a person who's been convicted of a heinous crime such as these, but we live in a society where "all men (and women) are created equal", but it's very easy for me to want to throw them in jail and let the prison hierarchy take care of the situation. So what makes them worth defending and not say khalid sheikh mohammed? Simple, our fictional sex offender is an American citizen who has certain inalienable rights.


Travis
travis@rightwinglunatic.com