First, as I think back regarding my journey, I can only think about how much I regret putting myself in the situation I put myself in.
Today, over 18 years later, I’m still so disappointed. When I initially was referring with my counsel, I was informed (I plead to a wobbler) that once the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, I would no longer have to register. He confirmed this!I later found out this was incorrect. I went back to court, had the court reduced to a misdemeanor, charge eventually expunged and the plea is considered an other (non disclosable). I really got on with my life.
Although, as time goes on, it seems like life is becoming increasingly difficult. There are new laws coming on the books yearly which honestly make life less manageable. Then, when I heard about the residency restrictions (my plea was adult oriented), I was in shock. Now, we have bans at parks and beaches? I would have never guessed. I can still recall when California initially put the web site up? I was in shock. OMG, this is terrible. I was initially put on the web site (incorrect), but immediately faxed my legal documents to Ca and it was removed. I truly feel sorry for those who have their names and addresses plastered online. I really don’t know how or what they feel.
Presently, the only hope I have is that new laws will be incorporated that will allow people to fall off the registry, a tier system is instituted and people have a chance to live both a productive and free lifestyle in the future. Things must change.
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One can only hope rational minds will eventually realize that these laws have gone way to far. Nobody that’s not on the list could be possibly fathom what we have to deal with on a daily basis for a lifetime. At the very least they need to pass to the tier registry bill so people can move on with their lives. Currently, it is nearly impossible to do that now. Is this what they really intended?
I first need to address the fact that in most states, you eventually fall off the registry. The timespan changes, depending upon the offense, but minor offenses would result in a 10-15 year duration and so on. So, its difficulty to imagine how those convicted of misdemeanors and summary probation would (myself/yes/SUMMARY) probation would continue to remain on the registry. I’m clearly not a victim, but we punish (rehabilitate/jail/prison) those who offend and subsequently put them on probation or parole thereafter. So, the big question is this? Does the judicial system believe in rehabilitation? I mean, if not, why not just let everyone go free? Is sending someone to jail just a procedure? If you look at what’s happening now (no laws regarding sex offenders), its pretty obvious city leaders or legislators don’t believe in rehabilitation? It’s sad, but their actions say otherwise? So, rather than focus upon creating harsher penalties and limitations for those released from prison, maybe they should be more focused upon how they can better rehabilitate those in need?