Computer-generated preteen girl with webcam helps identify 1,000 pedophiles

[Orrex]

26. If I took a stack of money that you left on your car's hood, what is my crime?

Next question:
If I took a stack of money that you left on your car's hood, what is my crime if the money is counterfeit?

Is the viewing of a digitally rendered image of an artificial child the same as the crime of viewing an image of an actual child?


It's not a perfect analogy, I admit, but it highlights the difference between intent and action. Of course, intent can be a crime, such as "possession with intent to sell" drugs, but that's not a great analogy, either.

Might it not be reasonably argued that a pedophile who can satisfy his urges with a digital rendering of a child is less of a threat than a pedophile who can't? What if some of the 20,000 suspects claim that they went to this site because it was a digital portrayal of a child, rather than a real child? How would we prove their intent beyond a reasonable doubt?

We can certainly attack the vile behavior of pedophiles, but if we're talking about the legal framework for addressing their crimes, then it's vital that we act objectively if only to make sure that convictions aren't later thrown out due to ill-considered laws.