This letter is in response to the editorial, "Sex Offender Laws: Harsher penalties would curb repeat offenses," March 16. I am the wife of a sex offender and I can tell you it has been rough.

My husband was accused of a sex crime back in 1993, and served six years for the crime. His years on parole were all satisfactory for his parole officers and he has no restrictions on him at the present time, except for registering as a sex offender in which he continues to do today. I don't condone the crime, but I think we have some right to be able to live normally instead of being seen as animals.

My husband has paid his debt to society, but because of other offenders who continue to do wrong, it is hard for us to prove we are trying to do right when we're still considered as bad as others. I am seen in the same matter, and it angers me that people continue to judge, when God is the only one who can judge. I understand the fear one can have, but once a person has done his time, he should be able to live his life in a normal matter. All we want is for people to mind their own business and let us live our lives, whatever we have left in this world. We pay bills and taxes just like everyone else. We have rights, too.