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Abstract: 

Why would older individuals reoffend at lower rates than younger individuals? Early studies suggested (erroneously) that reoffending continued throughout the lifespan. An individual’s age is a robust predictor of recidivism, however with recidivism (and first offense rates) steadily decreasing as individuals reach their thirties and later years. In this article we hope to make the reasons for this clear and to discuss related legal issues.

Keywords: community notification; actuarial instruments used to measure risk of sexual reoffense; prior sexual sentencing occasions; reductions in testosterone and maturational factors; increased self-control; Static-99; risk communication

Affiliations:  1: Associates in Psychological Services, P.A.; 2: co-author, Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification: A “Megan’s Law” Sourcebook; 3: Associates in Psychological Services, P.A.; 4: criminal defense attorney.