An inmate is suing the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, claiming one of its billboards mislabeled him as a sexual predator, instead of a sex offender. Full Article
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A billboard… I think this goes well beyond “it’s no big deal because someone would have to seek out the information” ruling from SCOTUS. This isn’t even someone Googling a person for unrelated reasons and finding out they’re and RC due to those 3rd party websites. This is the government shoving the information down people’s throats whether they wanted to know or not. Ray Bradbury couldn’t write this stuff.
You mean like how FB, H0mef@cts and other sites must seek it out, and not have it handed to them by, for instance, the USG? Or the pamphlet some RCs must post, hand out, and/or mail to everyone surrounding his/her residence? Yup, good thing it’s merely public records in an electronic form and requires affirmative action from a citizen.
This lawsuit warms my heart. 🙂
Another example of government overreach that will one day collapse the registry under its own weight. Kudos to whoever brought this suit.
In 2012, Thomas Frank wrote a bestselling political book titled, “What is the Matter with Kansas?”
I think it would be far more important to ask, “What the Hell is the Matter with Florida!?”
This is Florida. Sadly, he will not prevail. Any legal matter brought before Florida whether states or federal level that involves sex offender, the chance of success will be slim to none. My opinion.
A false statement posted on a billboard = defamation = judgment in favor of registrant including monetary damages. I predict registrant will ultimately be successful even if the case needs to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to obtain that success.
This guy wasn’t convicted of a sex crime. He was convicted of kidnapping-false imprisonment and felony battery. So, he unlawfully held someone against their will – AND – actually or intentionally touched or struck another person causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. More than likely a domestic dispute situation. For that he receives a sexual offender designation and a sexual predator billboard. How is designating him a sexual offender not punishment? Now matter how you look at it, he is being punished for crimes he didn’t commit.
….
@Michael
Unfortunately, some states will automatically default to the RC status with the kidnapping/false imprisonment charges even though no sexual motivation was there. The state assumes there is that motivation.
This is an example of how obvious it it is that being designated a SO or a SP is a punishment, somehow even we believe this guys does not deserve the “punishment” Only a real SO deserves to be on a billboard. What about a wife beater or an armed robber. Shows how cowboy political stunts get votes. Most popular movies and tv shows are narcissistic and sociopathic and so are our sheriffs. We need to fight this buy holding our heads up and live our lives better then the rest and not be afraid or ashamed to make calls and ask questions and expect to be treated the same as everyone else that believes they are free. Start business and save money to have as a legal fund. Call out your local D bags hold them accountable call the news paper and ask why nothing is being done Local level everywhere can make a big diff.
Check out David Freeds wiki page Lets keep it edited.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Freed_(attorney)#District_Attorney
You might correct it to read “He earned his B.A. cum loudly.”
Looks like FL is getting one of its residents back, and is none to happy: http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/florida-a-g-wants-no-part-of-o-j-simpson-homecoming/
Sorry FL, given OJ was a FL resident (and/or has family support there) when convicted, ICOTS mandates you accept him back. Ahh, I love when their own rules bite them.
Once, while I was incarcerated in Florida, we were put on lock-down. A nasty, POS sergeant was found dead – murdered, off-duty, in his home. We all had a laugh when we learned that he was shot dead by his own son (who he also treated as miserably as he treated us).
If the billboard was really honest it would have his family and home in the background.