Sexual offenses make up a significant portion of all crimes, and people often become confused when they hear terms like sexual predator and sexual offender. Although there are distinct differences between these two categories of sexual criminals, it is important to note that different states in the country have different laws. The similarities between the two categories lie in the fact that both involve sexual acts. This article aims to highlight the differences, including the degree of offense, to help readers easily distinguish between these criminals and be aware of potential risks.
Key Takeaways
- Sexual predator is an offender of a more serious nature than a sex offender.
- A person is labeled a sexual predator when referred to as such by a court of law.
- An individual may be a sex offender but becomes a sex predator if they commit the same offense another time.
Sex Predator
The term sex predator is a legal term, indicating that a person has been labeled as such by a court ruling. If there are sex predators in your area, the authorities are legally required to notify the public about them. However, this notification cannot be used as a basis for harassment. The term seems to have been inspired by the way a predator hunts its prey.
Rapists and individuals committing child sex crimes are considered sexual predators, but an individual cannot be labeled as a sexual predator until they have been declared as such by a court of law. In general, a sexual predator is someone trying to engage in sexual contact with another person. To be labeled a sexual predator, an individual needs to be designated by a court of law, have committed a serious sexual offense, or felony sex crimes a certain number of times in the last few years. The designation of sexual predator is in place in some states to impose harsher penalties for sexual offenses.
Sex Offender
A sex offender is an individual who has already committed an offense of a sexual nature. This is a broad category considered generic in nature, as it contains all types of criminals who have committed sexual offenses. A sex offender is an individual who receives a lenient sentence from a court of law and can ask for their name to be removed from the list of sexual offenders if they receive a pardon.
In summary, a sexual predator is an offender of a more serious nature than a sex offender. A person is labeled a sexual predator when they are referred to as such by a court of law. An individual may be a sex offender but becomes a sex predator if they commit the same offense another time. Authorities are required to notify the public about sex predators living in their midst.
