Wis. Supreme Court Says Kidnapper Must Register

3-19-2010 Wisconsin:

MADISON, Wis. (AP) ― The Wisconsin Supreme Court says a man convicted of kidnapping a minor must be put on the sex offender registry even though the kidnapping didn't involve anything sexual.

The court says in a 5-2 decision Friday that state law is clear in that it requires anyone convicted of kidnapping a minor to be placed on the sex offender registry whether the person was sexually assaulted or not.

The case involves James W. Smith, who pleaded guilty in 2001 of false imprisonment after forcing a minor to ride in his care in order to collect a drug debt from the minor's friend. Both were 17-years-old at the time.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson dissented. They argue that there is no rational basis for making Smith register as a sex offender. ..Source.. WCCO.com