TELL US: Should Level 1 Sex Offender Information Be Public?
A Wakefield man and tutor who faces numerous child sex charges was a Level 1 sex offender.
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Last week, news spread quickly through the region about the indictment of a Wakefield couple for numerous charges stemming from an illegal day care operation where graphic child sexual abuse occurred.
The Middlesex County District Attorney's office alleges that at least 13 children were abused while under the care of John Burbine, 49, at the Waterfall Education Center, which offered tutoring and day care.
Burbine was a level 1 sex offender, which means he had been convicted of a sex-related crime but was deemed least likely to re-offend.
Once an offender is classified as a Level 2 or a Level 3 Offender, his/her sex offender registry information will be available to the public. Level 1 information is not public.
Does this case affect how you feel about the Sex Offender Registry? Would releasing more information about all levels of sex offenders prove helpful? Or, do you think level 1 offenders don't deserve to have their information made public? Tell us in the comments.
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Benjamin Tracy
7:29 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
I'm not sure where the line is, but we need to think carefully about when we apply scarlet letters to these people. No matter where we draw the line, people whose info was not made public will re-offend, because we cannot see all ends to the "low-risk" outcome. My gut tells me that level one should not be made public.
Anna Bucciarelli
7:32 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Yes, not even a question in my mind. Sex offender once is a sex offender, period.
Amici
7:49 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Absolutely, there are many loopholes in our laws that allow judges discretion over whether or not a person with a sex crime conviction has to register with SORB, it's important for information to be publicly accessible so parents can make informed decisions about who they allow to care for their children. It was reported (Wakefield Patch) that a parent whose child was receiving services went to the PD and inquired about the defendant in this case and they were unable to provide that information.
Muriel McGrann
10:48 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
The law is far too loose on its treatment of sex offenders. The law currently deals with the perpatrator and slights the innocent victim. All and any proven sex offenders should be registered and have their name published weekly . All offenders names and addresses should be readily available to parents or anyone providing care of children.It should not be the right of lawyers courts and judges to protect these individuals from public listings . These proven crimes should demand the same penalties as those for manslaughter . The courts and judges must act for the victim who is defenseless in most cases.Sex offenders must be held accountable. Protection for children is absolutely essential.
Benjamin Tracy
11:01 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Muriel are you SERIOUS? Sexual abuse with the same penalties as MANSLAUGHTER? I don't mean to be a pain, but the child is NOT DEAD after the abuse, heinous as it is. If we apply scarlet letters to all these people, then what do we do with the next reprehensible crime?! This is a slippery slope of the first order!
myron
12:15 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I really don't believe in the Scarlet Letter. Level 1 is a catchall, sometimes misapplied by overly zealous prosecuters. You would have to prove to me that it is worth it to ruin someones life forever.
jaylay
2:40 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Yes level I sex offenders should be on the registry and made available to the public as any other level. A sex offense is a sex offense especially if they were committed against a child.