Do juvenile sex offenders have to register as sex offenders?

Absolutely, Yes.

All states requires juvenile sex offenders to register as the sentencing qualifies just like an adult. Many states like Idaho even place the juveniles on the public web site for all to see. The youngest registered sex offender was 6 years old. This child hugged a teacher and touched the teachers breast with his face before boarding a school bus for home. He was later relieved of the registry after several years.

The new law being argued is the Adam Walsh Act signed by George Bush prior to levaing office. This will require all states to place offenders 14 and up on the public web site. Most states have not adopted this federal law yet. The argument against ranges from the danger of placing children's pictures, addresses, and schools on the internet, to the increased time to register for people who were not sentenced to register. Tier 3 offenders, juvenile or not, would be required to register for life. Tier 2 would register for 25 years. Tier 1 for 15 years. The fact that these laws have no review of individual offenders is also a point of concern.

• Under Georgia law those prosecuted in Juvenile court are not required to register, nor is anyone tried of a misdemeanor after June 30,2001 per the Georgia sex offender website.
• Wisconsin has a slightly different take on the issue. If the Juvenile is waived into adult court OR the judge considers the issue serious enough, they may require the Juvenile to register according to the Wisconsin site.
• Florida's laws are again worded different. Florida does register Juveniles that have committed felonies and their records are maintained for 5 years after the individual reaches the age of 19. After this time the records are expunged unless it meets certain criteria including offenses that were violent or forced.
• Idaho's laws are very close to Wisconsin's and Florida's. A juvenile that has been tried as an adult is considered as a sex offender and requires registration. Those tried in Juvenile court are not subject to the registration process. I included the laws of Idaho. The only questionable registration-able offense that I saw was 18-6101(1) where sex with an 18 year old could get you registered.

Bottom line is that the question appears to need to be state specific as well as age and issue specific.