Update on an Injustice

Back in July, I blogged (Who Belongs in Prison?) the case of Genarlow Wilson, a 17-year-old convicted of aggravated child molestation for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old. He was sentenced to 10 years in a Georgia prison. (The prosecutor later incredibly released a video of the sexual encounter).

Now comes the news that the Georgia Supreme Court has overturned his conviction on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment. Not only is Wilson finally free from prison, but he will also be subject to restrictions placed on 'sexual predators' (registration, not able to live within 1000' of schools, day-care centers, parks, churches, swimming pools or school bus stops.

Here is an LA Times story (registration required) and a Time Magazine story. Wilson's Sentence Overturned. Wilson's case demonstrates what can happen when politicians pander to public fears about crime with overly-broad, poorly conceived, and in Wilson's case, stupidly applied laws.