DENVER, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A man and woman, both found when they were children to have committed serious sex offenses in Colorado, say they should not have to register as sex offenders.
Their challenge to the state's sex-offender registry law has been joined by a man who was given a probationary sentence after being convicted of second-degree sexual assault in 1999, Courthouse News reported Monday. The three plaintiffs are identified in court papers only by their initials, A.A., a 23-year-old woman, A.V., a 28-year-old man, and D.M., a 51-year-old man.
A.A. was found to have committed aggravated incest at the age of 11, while A.V., then 13, was found to have engaged in attempted sexual assault after an elementary school classmate said he kept trying to hug her. Both cases were handled in the juvenile system.
"Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by identity formation. Labels stick and can last a lifetime," the lawsuit says. "The label of 'sex offender' and 'child molester' has caused profound damage to A.V.'s and A.A.'s development and self esteem. The stigmatization of them has led to their fear or mistrust of others, rejection, and isolation from family and friends."
D.M., like A.A. and A.V., has committed no new sexual offenses, the lawsuit says. He argues that he is not dangerous and that forcing him to register as a sex offender punishes him and his family while doing nothing for community safety.
