RALEIGH, N.C. — A 2008 law making it a felony for registered sex offenders to use social media websites in North Carolina was struck down Tuesday after a challenge by a Durham man.
___ ___., a registered sex offender from Durham, appealed to the state after being convicted in May 2012 of accessing a commercial social networking website. ___ alleged that North Carolina General Statute 14-202.5 violated his rights to “free speech, expression, association, assembly and the press under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.” Full Article
Finally…a common sense decision. I hope it sticks.
Now I wish Facebook would be bound to a decision like that. It’s one thing when you’re a private, low-key Website used by few. It’s another thing when you’re a major medium of communications for the entire world. Some Websites won’t even let you comment unless you have a FB account – thus a violation of free speech in my opinion. Plus, FB is now a public company too.
Bottom line: the best source of protection for minors online is THEIR PARENTS!!!
My comment in many of the threads blasting the judges’ decision:
Are these liberal, sex offender-coddling judges?
Rick Elmore, from RedState.com (expand story)
Christopher Dillon: endorsed for his position by the Johnston County Republican Party in his election for his current position.
Only Martha Geer could be construed as less than rock-red, fundamentalist Christian Republican, and to be elected a judge in NC one has to generally have more proclivities for prosecutors than for defendants.
I’d consider becoming a plaintiff against Facebook if needed. I’m an internet/computer expert from the early days, so I can provide technical advice relating to necessity of access to all web sites. In my Calif County I need Facebook for access to the Local News Media and Public Emergency info. We have no better media than Facebook for this info. We have no TV coverage and very limited radio coverage. Public access cable TV is useless here also.