Taylor declared low-risk sex offender

NEW CITY, N.Y. -- Lawrence Taylor, who pleaded guilty in January to sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute, was declared a low-risk sex offender yesterday.

Prosecutors argued for a Level 2 designation. Instead, the judge chose the lower Level 1, which means a photo of the former Giants linebacker will not be posted on the online sex-offender registry.

Rockland County Court Judge William Kelly said Taylor's crime was already well known.

"The difference between Level 1 and 2 is almost minuscule because of the notification that has already gone out to the world," said Kelly, who added that Taylor "would be awfully foolish to go out and do this again."

The Hall of Famer did not attend the hearing.

The girl was 16 -- under the age of consent -- when she met Taylor. He said she claimed she was 19.

Last month, the teenager made a surprise appearance at Taylor's sentencing, eager to declare that he should be jailed, but she was denied the chance to speak in court.

SEE PHOTOSTop 10 Giants of all time

Taylor was sentenced to six years' probation, as agreed, when he pleaded guilty in January.

-- AP