In many situations, when people are accused of sex crimes, they are accused of taking an active role in sexual misconduct. Sex crime suspects in Pittsburgh are often accused with creating illegal sexual situations. However, one man is currently facing sex crime charges for merely looking out the window of his house.

The window on his house looked into a window on the neighbor's house, and vice versa. However, the man is facing charges for allegedly looking out his window and seeing his neighbor's daughter undressing in her bedroom. Her blinds were not pulled, and the man did not need binoculars or telescope to clearly see the girl.

The author of one article argues that "if merely looking into somebody's house from somewhere outside the owner's property is a crime, then it's one I (and every other man who ever walked a dog, went for a bike ride, or slipped out for a smoke after dark) have committed, probably more than once."

The arrest seems ludicrous, and the author certainly has a good point. It's human nature to look at the things in a house that are well-illuminated when it is dark outside. Moreover, there are even several sit-coms that have parodied the situation.

If the man is convicted of the sex crimes, he could face severe penalties. Unfortunately, the 65-year-old pediatrician will likely feel repercussions even if he is not convicted. Although the man's entire life and career have been free from allegations of criminal or ethical wrongdoings of any kind, it is unlikely that parents will line up to bring their children to visit a doctor who was accused of watching naked little girls.

We've written other posts about the way in which the media exposes vulnerable suspects, and this is another example of that. Regardless of whether he is convicted, the man will likely face career-altering ramifications from this case and its premature publicity.

Source: Detroit Free Press, "Brian Dickerson: If the blinds were open, was it a crime to look?" Brian Dickerson, Dec. 1, 2011