I read how details of s*x offenders are freely available in the USA. Why is this not the same in the UK?

Question

I came across Megan's Law and noticed how in America, you have the right to see if a s*x offender lives in your area. However, can anyone tell me why this is not the case in the UK?

Answer 1

Because the laws about information disclosure are different.

In the USA, people are labeled s*x offenders for many things- not just serious crimes like rape but also stupid, trivial things like getting caught streaking at a football game.  Not sure if the UK makes better distinctions.

Answer 2

Because the rednecks mentioned above not only become judge jury and executioner, they are also so stupid that they don't know the difference between a paedophile and a paediatrician.

Mob rule is ugly, wrong and ineffective.

Answer 3

Infringes on their human rights.

You'd think they'd lose some of their rights by being a s*x offender (or any kind of offender come to think about it), but they don't.

Answer 4

If the laws were less liberal here(i.e. if details were not as available in the US as they were in the UK) I'd understand it; we in the US are more prone to brutish behavior and to taking the law in our own hands. As it is, I have no idea.

Answer 5

The American Constitution guarantees "freedom of speech".  Therefore, "advertising" the whereabouts of known pedophiles on the Internet in America is not "illegal".

Answer 6

Because occasionally, some redneck decides to be Judge, jury and executioner.

Many of these people are "s*x offenders" for non-dangerous reasons ( such as underage s*x), and they've paid their debt.

Vigilantes don't care and they often get the wrong guy.