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If you were to ask a member of the general public what criminals are most likely to reoffend after an initial arrest, many would guess sex offenders. As a whole, we’ve had it drilled into us that sex offenders will reoffend and reoffend and the only way to stop them is by incapacitation in prison. This whole notion, along with the fear of such a stigmatized offense has driven many of the modern sex offender laws and registration requirements.

But this assumption is wrong. As a matter of fact, sex offenders are some of the least likely to reoffend. Less likely than robbers, thieves, drug offenders, assaulters, and burglars, only 2.5% of all released rapists are again arrested for a similar sex offense.

But even if they aren’t as likely to reoffend as we might have initially thought, they still need to be tracked and monitored, right? Well, no, not exactly. Sex offender registration requirements and residency restrictions may actually do more harm than good.

One of the greatest barriers for any ex-offender in successfully rejoining society is finding proper housing and employment. The harder we make it for them to do so, the more likely they are to resort to old habits. This is true no matter which type of criminal behavior you’re talking about. But we make it especially difficult for sex offenders.

Several cities have found their sex offenders end up homeless because they simply can’t find suitable housing within the set parameters of the local registration requirements. And when someone is homeless, you certainly can’t keep tabs on them.

Perhaps more than any other criminal offense, sex offender laws have been driven by specific cases and victims. A tragedy occurs and a new law is passed. But these laws are often completely reactionary and based in emotion—hardly the formula for effective crime control and prevention. But because of the nature of these crimes and the overwhelming opinion of disgust by the general public, things won’t soon change.

There are an estimated 740,000 registered sex offenders in the United States. Some have been found guilty of horrific crimes and others for things like public urination or lewd acts. Laws and registration requirements vary quite widely from state to state though the law always seems to come down heavy handedly on such crimes.

If you are charged with a sex offense, you would be completely justified in being frightened about what these charges could mean for your life, your future, and your freedom. Contact with a local criminal defense lawyer today.

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