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Ducey signs bill ending sex offender filings

Posted at 4:36 AM, Apr 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-06 07:36:40-04

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation allowing some offenders convicted of sexual conduct with a minor to ask a judge to end their need to register as a sex offender.

Ducey signed House Bill 2539 by Republican Rep. Rusty Bowers on Tuesday.

The legislation only applies to people convicted for an offense committed when they were 21 or younger, where the victim was between 15 and 17 years old and the sex was consensual.

Bowers said it applies "justice with mercy" to young offenders who make "Romeo and Juliet" mistakes.

The legislation only applies to people who weren't sentenced to prison and completed probation.

A judge would have the final say and the victim must be notified before a court hearing.