Michigan Supreme Court Takes Major Case Involving Sex Offender List

DETROIT (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to look at the case of a man who's on the sex offender list for life, although his conviction was erased nearly 20 years ago.

The man was 19 when he was charged with kissing and groping a 12-year-old girl in Wayne County. He pleaded guilty, but his conviction was completely erased in 1997 after he completed three years of probation. A law grants certain breaks to young offenders who stay out of trouble.

Nonetheless, he's on the sex offender registry.

In 2014, the state appeals court told the man that being on the registry isn't punishment and doesn't qualify as cruel or unusual in violation of the constitution.

In an order released Saturday, the Supreme Court says it will take an appeal.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.