Janice’s Journal: It’s Time to Topple California’s Lifetime Registry

Less than two weeks into the new year, it’s clear that we have a lot of work to do in the State Capitol.  We are already facing a bill that would prohibit all registrants, including parents, from visiting all schools for all reasons as well as the promise of a bill that would end the state’s lifetime registry.

It is understandable that Senator Connie Leyva would introduce a bill (Senate Bill 26) with a zero-tolerance policy toward registrants on school campuses.  After all, the district she represents includes the City of Fontana whose school board passed a similar policy a few months ago.  School board members there hastily adopted that policy after a heated two-hour discussion in which parents angrily demanded that school board members pass such a policy or face ouster

Senate Bill 26 is a terrible bill and must be stopped!  If passed, Senate Bill 26 would harm school children because it would rob them of parental support during academic and athletic events as well as in cases of medical emergencies.  Also if passed, the bill would prevent registrants from worshipping at churches that meet on school grounds, attending local government meetings,  and even voting.

We cannot let the cancer created by the Fontana Unified School District board to grow and spread statewide.  Instead, we must stop Senate Bill 26 by sending letters, making phone calls and attending committee hearings.

It is also understandable that a tiered registry bill will be introduced in order to end the state’s lifetime registry.  A coalition of district attorneys, police chiefs and sheriffs has formed to create such a bill that has now been endorsed by the California Sex Offender Management Board.

ACSOL has serious concerns about the draft tiered registry bill created by that coalition.  Chief among those concerns is the unbridled discretion given to district attorneys to object to the removal of registrants from the state’s sex offender registry.  As currently written, the bill would allow a district attorney to object if he or she believes that “community safety would be significantly enhanced by the person’s continued registration”.   Such an objection would result in a costly court hearing and conclude with a decision by a state judge, who is unlikely to rule in favor of registrants because he or she is subject to re-election.

ACSOL is not concerned and in fact is pleased to report that Senator Ricardo Lara has agreed to author the tiered registry bill.  As Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Lara has “the right stuff” to get the bill through the Senate.  As a publicly announced survivor of sexual assault, Senator Lara also has credibility on this subject.

ACSOL looks forward to working with Senator Lara and staff toward creation of a tiered registry that is based upon empirical evidence.  It’s time to topple the state’s lifetime registry during 2017, the year in which that registry marks its 70th anniversary.

Please join us on January 30 and January 31 in Sacramento to share your views on these bills.

It’s time to Stand Up, Show Up and Speak Up!

— by Janice Bellucci

Read all Janice’s Journals

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Again, no one seems to want to address tier questions. Are you tiered simply based upon your conviction/plea? Is it affected by either being a Felony or Misdemeanor? What if it’s expunged? Then, how does Static 99 Apply if it’s been 10 years or more? Does your probation affect your tiering? Parole? Formal probation? Summary probation?

Its called a draft for reason, its not final. most of you seem to want to shoot it down. it almost feels like its that phrase “misery loves company”. Everyone that opposes this bill doesn’t give facts as to why we should not allow it to proceed. it would be more productive if you give your reasons as to why we should oppose this bill. If changes need to be made, then please say what changes need to be made. Even i know some changes need to be made. I don’t like the fact that the DA needs to be included. it should be almost automatic that we get off the registry, unless there is sex offense case against us at the time off asking to get off the registry, we should just get off with no problems. It should just be a simple form to fill out, and we are done. Yes the Static-99 is a joke, because i was young when i had my offence, and it really seems unfair that i get an extra point for that. we cant just call each other names because some of us support it and some of us don’t support it. we need to work together and make this bill fair for everyone.

Does a “zero-tolerance policy toward registrants on school campuses” = higher educational campuses?

Guys, the Registry isn’t fair, but it’s here to stay! So, you propose no longer move forward with passing a tiered system (abolishing lifetime registry) because your either a high risk or High risk per Static 99? I plead no a now expunged battery with summary probation? I’m still required to register/never re offended? I’m not happy as well, but I can now at least see the light!

Never take the first offer, Janice. The proposed 3 tier registry is barely better than the current scheme and leaves far too many to endure the Life Sentence of registration. I agree with you that the Lifetime requirement should be dropped. Murderers, Kidnappers, and Gang Members rarely have to register, so why should anyone who ever peed in public?

Never take the first offer, Janice. The proposed 3 tier registry is barely better than the current scheme and leaves far too many to endure the Life Sentence of registration. I agree with you that the Lifetime requirement should be dropped.

Any tiered registry should include at least 5 Tiers, and 90% of convictions should be classified under the first three tiers.

Tier 1—- Register for 1 year after conviction
Tier 2— 3 years after conviction
Tier 3— 5 years after conviction
Tier 4 — 10 years after conviction
Tier 5— 12 years after conviction

Thanks to the internet, this punishment will be widely disseminated, and will be MORE than harsh enough for anyone.

question I have been registering for approx. 29 years ., single count 288a ,,me 18 ,,victim 13, LL act under 14 , no force , no violence, no sex..,, crime date of conviction 1989 no other convictions,,RIV county ,, what tier am I ???? no stactic 99 test ever done etc

don’t forget here in cali arsonist and drug offenders also register, 5years for drug offense one time registration unless you move but I’ve never heard of it being enforced either…

There is no mention as to whether or not the static99 will apply. If so it goes by charges filed and not convictions even if those charges were dropped. So as in my case a 234.4 (d) misdemeanor with 1203.4 dismissal not currently subject to internet disclosure,quickly converts into level 3. With a SVP designation no doubt.

My problem with the tiered registry is that ever the lowest ranking people still face years before they can get off. My conviction was 2006 and I have been out since 2010 with zero police contact. As an older gentleman I will die before I can get off the registry even if it is tiered. I say that once you are off parole you should register with the police and be off the public registry. It is purely punitive and unconstitutional. I don’t believe this will ever happen.