Atlanta Police Fail to Locate Over 200 Registered Sex Offenders
Despite the strict laws intended to monitor registered sex offenders, Georgia has lost track of or absconded, nearly 250 sex offenders from metro Atlanta. In an article by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, many of these missing offenders were convicted of rape, kidnapping, and molestation, as well as people who engaged in consensual sex acts with minors.
Over the years, there has been a growing controversy over the Georgia sex offender registry in that the restrictive rules govern where offenders can live and work. Many advocates against sex crimes are concerned with the high number of missing offenders, especially since they feel that monitoring offenders deter attacks on new victims.
The sex offender laws are currently under review in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta. Lawyers prosecuting these laws declare that the state imposes vague and arbitrary restrictions on sex offenders that are unconstitutional. The law currently bars sex offenders from living within 1,000 churches, parks, schools, and daycare centers, which some feel could be anywhere.
The associate director of the Southern Centre for Human Rights, Sara Totonchi, said that the residency restrictions are a considerable drain on law enforcement and do not yield the desired results. Others believe that Georgia sex offender laws are too lax, especially since authorities have absconded so many of them.
Being accused of a sex crime can leave a person feeling helpless and devastated, especially if that person did not commit the crime. Reputation and relationships may also suffer as a result of an accusation. If you have been charged with a sex offense, do not hesitate to face your case. The experienced Atlanta sex offense attorneys can help you build a defense and overcome the accusations posed against you.