AZ- New sex offender law causing controversy

8-11-2008 Arizona:

A new Arizona law that allows some juvenile sex offenders convicted in adult court to wipe their records clean is causing controversy.

Supporters of this new law include defense attorney Jason Lamm.

"Without this kind of mechanism in place, juveniles can be prosecuted as adults," Lamm said. "Kids 13 and 14 years old can get convictions on their records that they're going to carry with them for the rest of their lives like a scarlet letter."

Nevertheless, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office opposed the change in the law.

"If you've committed a sex offense, you are a sex offender," said prosecutor Barbara Marshall.

-A system based on prejudices not facts...

Children under the age of 18 who commit sex offenses are much less likely to re-offend than adult sex offenders, studies have shown. Nevertheless, therapist Scott Naegele said these juveniles can still get into trouble.

"That same group of people tends to commit new kinds of offenses at a higher rate than they commit new sex offenses," he said.

The case of Angel Briones is an example. He pleaded guilty to attempted sexual conduct with a child when he was 16 years old. He was sentenced to probation, completed therapy and was removed from the sex offender notification registry.

Still, he ended up back in jail for probation violations.

Thus far, only a few people have had their records completely cleared, and 5 Investigates has not found any cases where a "cleared" sex offender committed a new sex crime. ..News Source.. by KPHO.com