Maryland sexual predators Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Maryland sexual predators - Essay Example In terms of the overall law, Maryland requires that sexual offenders that are going to live and work in the state register with the state and local government. Every year then, Maryland classifies the sexual predators along four classification lines: sexually violent predators, sexually violent offenders, child sexual offenders; and offenders. The most serious offenders, which are the majority of offenders in the first three categories, must register for life, and the rest must do so for ten years. In considering these regulations on registry, I personally support the institution of these statutes as they provide significant warning to parents and children of the threats that might be surrounding them. While it does open the offenders to social ostracism, it’s clear that these regulations are necessary to reduce and prevent these sexual offenses from occurring again. While the Maryland laws require adult sexual offenders to face these registry issues, the penalties for juvenile sexual offenders alters these laws. Kahn & Lafond (2006) detail Maryland’s complex punitive and treatment mechanisms for the adolescent sexual offenders. In these regards, the state indicates that generally juvenile sexual offenders are given more leniency than adult offenders in terms of punishment. In addition, juvenile offenders are required to undergo stringent rehabilitation mechanisms that target the individual’s dysfunctions and work to prepare them for entrance back into society. Within Maryland there are a great degree of sexual laws that vary in stringency, as a direct relation to the extent of the crime. For instance, statute 464B an individual is convicted in the third degree if a number of elements are committed (Maryland 464b’). The most notable of these elements includes the occurrence of sexual contact within another person against the ir will. The offender implements a weapon in the