Invoking Civil Remedies to Prevent the Commission of Future Crimes by Sex Offenders

Abstract

Sex offenders pose special problems for the criminal justice system. A traditional criminal case could not commence before a criminal act occurred. However, it is argued that criminal prosecutions do not effectively protect the public from future violations by sex offenders. Consequently, legislators have looked to civil remedies to prevent irreparable anti-social conduct before it occurs. These remedies have included sterilization, preventive detention, registration of offenders, and denying access to the internet. Each of these remedies poses serious treats to individual freedom. Psychologists and lawyers bear a heavy responsibility to ensure that these remedies can be justified.