Should Juveniles Have to Register as Sex Offenders?

Pennsylvania's highest court is considering whether it is constitutional to require juveniles to register as sex offenders.

The Supreme Court heard a York County prosecutor and a lawyer for the Juvenile Law Center argue Tuesday about rulings late last year that threw out the registration requirement for seven defendants.

The district attorney's office calls the lifetime registration a "collateral consequence" of the crime, but defense lawyers say it amounts to a form of punishment.
 
The Legislature passed the registration requirement two years ago to comply with the federal Adam Walsh Act.
 
Juveniles older than 14 must register for at least 25 years if adjudicated of rape, aggravated indecent assault or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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