Pa. Law Requiring Lifetime Registration for Juvenile Sex Offenders is Unconstitutional

A York County, Pennsylvania judge has ruled unconstitutional a state law imposing lifetime registration requirements for juvenile sex offenders. According to Judge Uhler, the law improperly treats juvenile sex offenders as if they are adults. Uhler believes the law fails to recognize the unique attributes of juvenile offenders and their capacity for reform. For many working in the juvenile justice field, this is a landmark ruling that acknowledges the irreparable damage that being registered as a sex offender can have on a child’s future.

A York County, Pennsylvania judge has ruled unconstitutional a state law imposing lifetime registration requirements for juvenile sex offenders. According to Judge Uhler, the law improperly treats juvenile sex offenders as if they are adults. Uhler believes the law fails to recognize the unique attributes of juvenile offenders and their capacity for reform. For many working in the juvenile justice field, this is a landmark ruling that acknowledges the irreparable damage that being registered as a sex offender can have on a child’s future.

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