Sex Offenses
Sexual offenses are broad encompassing a wide array of crimes, ranging from incest to rape. The American legal system has mechanisms for dealing with each type of offense individually. While some crimes are addressed at the state level, others are under the federal government. This discussion provides a brief analysis of two sex crimes to help put in perspective critical elements regarding sex offenses.
The American society is predominantly conservative on sexuality with a few states legalizing homosexuality. Heterosexuality is typically the sexual association of a male and female. Regarding sexual norms in the U.S, they often take three forms heterosexually (Newport, 1997). These ways include marriage, casual sex and dating partners. Of course for any of the three ways to be commonly accepted, it has to be consensual, and both parties must be above 18 years of age (Newport, 1997). Otherwise, the sexual association is considered a deviation from sexual norms. Personally, I recommend matters of intimacy be left to be the business of the parties concerned unless in the event it was an act of sexual deviation. This way the middle road is in line with the law. Thus heterosexual relations in the U.S society are a sensitive affair.
Sex offenses as noted can be prosecuted by the state or the federal government. Each has its jurisdiction of cases to deal with per Title 18 of the U.S Code (FindLaw, 2017). Most of the offenses are under the state, for instance, statutory rape. Mandating the state with such a case ensure the swiftness and effectiveness of justice. Also, the suspects are subjected to tailor made standards and consequences according to the state’s needs. For example, the severity of the punishment varies from one state to another. Cases involving child trafficking are justly under federal jurisdiction as the state does not have enough resources to coordinate such an investigation (FindLaw, 2017). Therefore, the delegation of the various cases to different levels of the government are beneficial.
In conclusion, sex offenses cover many crimes involving sexually deviant behavior in society. In American society, often the acceptable heterosexual norms include consensual sex with one of three groups of people given they are old enough. The constitution provides both the state and federal government’s jurisdiction over cases which either level is most suited.
References
FindLaw (2017) Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses: Overview. Retrieved from http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/sex-offenders-and-sex-offenses-overview.html
Newport, F. (1997) Sexual Norms: Where Does America Stand Today? Gallup Poll Review from the Editors. Retrieved from http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/taku77/refer/sexnorm.htm
