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.
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.
….
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.