Sexual Predator vs. Sex Offender
There is a difference between a sexual predator and a sexual offender. The general public however, mistakenly confuses the terms “predator” and “sex offender” as interchangeable or one in the same. Due to recent questions and concerns we will display some of the known facts in Arizona.
In Arizona, all sex offenders classified as "predator" are housed at the State Hospital. Once an offender completes his sentence (Arizona Department of Corrections) and is scheduled for release, the offender may be reviewed for violent sexual predator criteria. This process can also be enforced if an offender is placed on probation and has been found in violation of those conditions of probations. If is it determined that the offender is a violent sexual predator, Arizona law provides for a civil commitment to the Arizona State Hospital. The sex offender may request an annual review to determine is he is eligible for release into society, at which time the label of "predator" is removed.
Being required to register as a “sex offender” in Arizona is currently a lifetime duty, regardless of the severity of the crime. Juvenile sex offenders prosecuted as adults are required to register. This requirement may be terminated upon successful completion of probation. Registration and public notification are the single greatest obstacle former offenders face in their attempts to successfully reintegrate back into society. The California case referenced in an earlier blog regarding the discovery of a young girl who was kidnapped and held captive for 18 years by convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido, serves as a chilling example of just how, ineffective registration laws have become. The “system” is so overburdened by the numerous crimes that were not predatory in nature that dangerous and predatory offenders often slip through the cracks. The burden placed on law enforcement to manage offenders whose crimes were neither predatory and/or were completely devoid of criminal intent leave them minimal time to focus and make the necessary distinctions. Most law enforcement officials charged with verifying addresses and updating the whereabouts of former sex offenders make distinctions between “predators” like Phillip Garrido and those convicted of “consensual” crimes that have been registering and living offense free for decades. They work as closely as possible with probation and other state agencies to make that distinction. However, those same law enforcement agencies and officials also report that the current system is overloaded and understaffed. The result is both obvious and disturbing. Law enforcement and other state officials are doing the ever changing job they were hired to do. What will it take for someone to begin to notice that there is not enough time in a day to complete the task at hand without missing some important aspect of the case? Will it be at the expense of the very children these laws are designed to protect?
In Arizona, sexting can result in possible charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. Each image carries a presumption prison term of 17 years. Child pornography laws were never designed for these types of technology. Please continue to follow T & T Investigations as we research this issue, offer suggestions and warnings to parents and identify how this will continue to burden the sex offender registration system that is already on the verge of break down.
Posted by Tambo at 1/13/2010 7:09 PM 
Categories: Investigator phoenix, background checks, phoenix private investigator, Criminal Justice Process Arizona, AZ sex offender laws
Tags: Arizona private investigations Phoenix private investigator criminal history legal background checks investigate private investigations arizona watch your mate or child law AZ sex offender laws
Categories: Investigator phoenix, background checks, phoenix private investigator, Criminal Justice Process Arizona, AZ sex offender laws
Tags: Arizona private investigations Phoenix private investigator criminal history legal background checks investigate private investigations arizona watch your mate or child law AZ sex offender laws
Great Article, now I know the difference between the two.
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