Sex Offender Registration Board

A very sensitive and active area of legal activity in the United States involves publication of data on sex offenders.  It is a unique situation;. On one hand the state is obviously taking away rights (privacy) and making it more difficult for these individuals to find work or housing, most of htem have legally paid thier debt to society, many in prison, and they should have the same rights as any citizen. On the other hand, study after study shows that these offenders have a very high indice of repating their crimes. Despite the best therapy we know how to provide and the "rehabilitation" of the prison system, these predators seem unable to change their behavior.

Starting in the 90's, groups in all 50 states began lobbying for statutes called "Meagan's Law" after a young girl who was raped and murdered by a recently released repeat sex offender. Her family had no idea they were living next to a monster.

Does the state have a right to punish people for crimes they have not yet committed? Isn't this like the "Pre-crimes" of the Minority Report?

Check out the site at Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, then read the article in the Boston Globe titled "State to post Level 3 sex offenders" and answer the following questions.

1) How many states currently publish the photos of sex offenders online?

2) What does the "level 3" designation mean?

3) What language was included to protect the rights of the individuals pictured on the site?

4) What does the article say about the legal proceedings up to this SJC ruling?

5) How many sex offenders ARE there in Massachusetts?

6)Who is Thomas F. Reilly, and what point does he make about sex offenders and the internet?

7) Why do you think the SORB website features a "Restriction of Liability" disclaimer at the top of their home page?

8) Find the legal citation for the case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ("SJC") concluded that the Sex Offender Registry ("Board") can require an offender to provide his or her home and work address prior to providing the offender a hearing to determine whether or not the offender had to register. (hint: FAQ)

9) Does anything like the Sex Offender Registration Board exist in your country? Do you think it should?

10) What conflicting rights did the court have to reconcile in this decision.  What do you think was the overriding factor in their legal reasoning?

Extra Credit: Can anybody find the citation for or a link to the 13-page decision written by Justice John M. Greaney?