Net Sex Criminals Getting Longer Prison Stays

Prosecutors in nearly every state have been requesting longer and tougher sentences for online child predators. Typically they are men aged 24 to 60 years old and solicit sex from minors they meet in chat rooms or in private messages.

In the past many judges only gave 30-90 days in jail but judges are now taking online solicitation much more seriously and are handing out at least 120 days sentences. On average, most sentences are for 1 year for first time offenders.

It is believed that part of the reason for the change has been the public outcry over short convictions. Last year, cable news shows focused on short convictions handed out by Judge Edward Cashman in Vermont for weeks, making it their top story each night. Some prosecutors feel that judges are now afraid of being singled out as easy on child predators and are now being more aggressive with these sentences so they don't receive the same criticism.

In the end it really doesn't matter why the sentences are getting longer because there is no question that predators should not be getting any leniency at all.