Must Read: BRIEFING THE SUPREME COURT: PROMOTING SCIENCE OR MYTH?
Melissa Hamilton’s forthcoming article in the Emory Law Journal is a must read. It discusses the recent Packingham SCOTUS hearing and how after all this time and all these studies, the MYTH of high recidivism rates is still being thrown around the courts.
Melissa Hamilton – Briefing the Supreme Court
I can’t help but wonder how many predators who use the internet to entice children are not even registered sex offenders? Maybe in the name of ‘child safety’ we need to outlaw the internet.
According to a study referenced in an amicus brief to the Packingham case, only 4-5% of arrests made for soliciting a minor online (who was actually a police decoy) had previous arrests for a sex-related crime. That means that 94-95% of those arrested in those circumstances had no prior history of sexual abuse or assault. Not surprisingly, that is in line with overall statistical recidivism rates for registered offenders.
And thank you for your service, sir.
Thats painting a really broad brush. Why not get a registry for ALL criminals?? Fair is fair.
Outlawing the internet is not the solution to this problem. Educating the kids to the dangers and parental monitoring is. For many, social media is a way to connect to and find relatives and childhood friends. Why should we go back to the dark ages of ignorance?
If the courts still don’t know the truth about SO recidivism rates then something is very wrong. I believe they do know the truth but continue to remain silent in this knowledge. Whatever the reason(s), it cannot be denied for much longer. Thanks to all the wonderful people who work to spread the truth in our communities, one person at a time.