A number of different offenses fall into the sex crimes category, but they generally involve illegal or coerced sexual conduct against another individual. Every state has laws against prohibiting the various types of sex crimes, such as rape and sexual assault, and each state has its own time limit (or “statute of limitations”) in which victims of sex crimes may file a lawsuit against the alleged offender. People convicted of sex crimes, regardless of severity, are considered “sex offenders” by their respective state and face having their names added to state and federal sex offender registries. The following articles cover sex crimes, sex offender registration requirements, relevant laws, and more.
AMBER Alerts
The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER or America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped while riding her bicycle and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation. Once law enforcement determines that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement issues an AMBER Alert and notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials.
Halloween Sex Offender Laws
Halloween sex offender laws are intended to prevent convicted sex offenders from participating in Halloween festivities such as prohibiting convicted sex offenders from dressing up in costumes, decorating their homes, passing out candy or driving after dark. Some argue that these laws the direct product of a culture marked by decades of irrational fears about children and safety on Halloween.
Pimping and Pandering Laws
"Pimping" and "pandering" are two distinct crimes. The crime of pimping in many states is defined as living or deriving support from the earnings of someone’s prostitution, knowing the person is a prostitute. Pimping also includes soliciting for the prostitute or receiving compensation for soliciting the prostitute. Essentially, you are guilty of pimping under the law if you (1) seek out customers for a prostitute and collect a fee from the customer/collect some of the prostitute’s pay or (2) collect some or all of a prostitute’s earnings (without playing a part in finding the customers). Pandering typically means the act of procuring prostitutes by means of influence, encouragement, enticement, persuasion, fraud, threat, arrangement, or other request, also known as being "the middleman."
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Sex crimes are considered serious offenses and should always be taken seriously. Penalties are even more severe if the charge involves the solicitation of a person under age 17 in most states. There are several legal defenses available to those charged with a sex crime under the law. However, the best way to determine the appropriate defense strategy is to contact a sex crimes lawyer in your area. An experienced sex crimes attorney will listen to the specifics of your case and determine the best strategy moving forward.
