Think you need to commit an atrocious sex crime in order to be labeled for life as a sex offender and possibly kept in prison indefinitely? Think again, because according a Wisconsin Supreme Court, you’re a sex offender even if your crime has absolutely nothing to do with sex.
In the case Wisconsin vs. Smith a 17-year-old was found guilty of forcing another 17-year-old to buy illegal drugs. Crime? Yes. But in so doing, that 17-year-old in question was also found guilty of a crime “comparable to a sex offense.” The only problem is, the court itself admitted that no sexual act was involved in the case whatsoever.
In the court’s own words, “Even though the complaint alleges that Smith and at least one other person physically threatened the minor in order to force him to assist in the search, there is no allegation that the false imprisonment entailed anything sexual.”
And yet, the state still forced the kid to register as a sex offender, handing over to him a life that will never be clean of the social and emotional stain that is the term “register.” Why? Because apparently, it could assist in law enforcement. Huh? In what kind of horrible 1984 totalitarian dystopia does this make sense?
In the case Wisconsin vs. Smith a 17-year-old was found guilty of forcing another 17-year-old to buy illegal drugs. Crime? Yes. But in so doing, that 17-year-old in question was also found guilty of a crime “comparable to a sex offense.” The only problem is, the court itself admitted that no sexual act was involved in the case whatsoever.
In the court’s own words, “Even though the complaint alleges that Smith and at least one other person physically threatened the minor in order to force him to assist in the search, there is no allegation that the false imprisonment entailed anything sexual.”
And yet, the state still forced the kid to register as a sex offender, handing over to him a life that will never be clean of the social and emotional stain that is the term “register.” Why? Because apparently, it could assist in law enforcement. Huh? In what kind of horrible 1984 totalitarian dystopia does this make sense?
This doesn't surprise me. Have been watching this case... Just one more example of this registry being such a crock of crap.