http://www.aikenstandard.com/star/286625744541785.phpJuveniles on S.C. sex offender registry a troubling issue
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
The South Carolina Sex Offenders list published on a state Web site contains the names of adults convicted of a variety of crimes of a sexual nature, but also juveniles as well.
When those minors are enrolled in a public school, state law gets confusing involving issues of confidentiality and the public's right to know. Also confusing for parents and school officials is the fact that the statutory definition of a sex offender in South Carolina is so broad that a person listed might be a serial rapist capable of violence or a teenaged boy convicted for having sex with a girlfriend of the same age.
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Sheriff Mike Hunt said he doesn't know the specifics of these cases, but does know the teenagers have met their obligations to register annually.
"There's nothing that requires us by law to put out a newsletter," said Hunt. "They are by law registered with the local sheriff's office and on the Web site. They have meet their obligations and we have met ours. There is no way we can keep them out of school as long as they meet the registration requirements."
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