Law Cutting Some Sex Offenders A Break

Romeo and Juliet Law

There has arisen some new lenience with certain categories of sex offenders. This lenience is being given to offenders who qualify for the nicknamed “Romeo and Juliet” law. This meaning that if the perpetrator is an adult, and the other a minor, if the sex was consensual, there is a chance that the perpetrator may not have to live his/her entire life with the label of sex offender.
There is slight controversy surrounding this. Some believe that anyone labeled as a sex offender should carry this title for the rest of their life, for the safety of others. While others believe that under certain circumstances, sex offenders don’t deserve to carry that title the rest of their life.
Examples such as the adult having consensual sex with a minor, and the age difference is small, are qualifying for this loophole in the law. So far, there have been over 300 people, majority being men, who petitioned the judge in order to have their name, mug shot, and address from the sex offender data base.
In order for the Romeo and Juliet law to be effective, the minor must be no younger than 14, and the offender be no more than 4 years older. The sex must be consensual, and the offender have no previous sex offenses. If these provisions are met, there is a good chance that someone labeled a sex offender has a strong chance of being removed from the list.