Louisiana Law Forces Convicted Sex Offenders to Confess on Facebook
Listing likes and dislikes, favorite movies, and other similar traits is completely optional on Facebook. Disclaiming crimes of a sexual nature, however, is not for residents of Louisiana. A new law sponsored by Louisiana state rep. Jeff Thompson requires sex offenders and child predators to list their crimes on Facebook and other social networking sites.
Thompson said he hopes the Louisiana law, which goes into effect August 1, 2012, will set a precedent that other states will follow, provided it stands up to what's expected to be a constitutional challenge.
"I don't want to leave in the hands of social network or Facebook administrators, 'Gee, I hope someone is telling the truth," Thompson said. "This is another tool for prosecutors."
There are already laws on the books that require sex offenders to give neighbors and nearby school districts a heads up of their residency in the area, and this law extends that disclaimer online. Specifically, the law states that such individuals "shall include in his profile the networking website and indication that he is a sex offender or child predator and shall include notice of the crime for which he was convicted, the jurisdiction of conviction, a description of his physical characteristics... and his residential address."
What are you feelings on Louisiana's new law? Would you like to see other states implement similar policies? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Thompson said he hopes the Louisiana law, which goes into effect August 1, 2012, will set a precedent that other states will follow, provided it stands up to what's expected to be a constitutional challenge.
"I don't want to leave in the hands of social network or Facebook administrators, 'Gee, I hope someone is telling the truth," Thompson said. "This is another tool for prosecutors."
There are already laws on the books that require sex offenders to give neighbors and nearby school districts a heads up of their residency in the area, and this law extends that disclaimer online. Specifically, the law states that such individuals "shall include in his profile the networking website and indication that he is a sex offender or child predator and shall include notice of the crime for which he was convicted, the jurisdiction of conviction, a description of his physical characteristics... and his residential address."
What are you feelings on Louisiana's new law? Would you like to see other states implement similar policies? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
