Registry Matters Episode 25 – Why GPS monitoring should be 1 of the 7 deadly sins

[narsol.org – 5/22/18] Why GPS monitoring should be 1 of the 7 deadly sins A malfunction in the charging could land you in jail. No access to power? Could land you in jail. Poor cell signal? Could result in being detained while proof is obtained. You could spend a week or more in jail for an unspecified violation. Spending time in jail could lose you your job which can lead to loss of housing. The GPS.gov website cites a 16’ radius of accuracy in the best conditions. Read more and…

Read More

What People Get Wrong About ‘Political Will’

[governing.com – May 2018] At a recent Governing roundtable, I heard once again that the failure to act on a serious public problem was due to a lack of “political will.” Hearing this from people who are wise and good public officials always leaves me a little annoyed. I agree with David Roberts of Vox, who wrote, “To me, it has always sounded like the political equivalent of the Force in the Star Wars movies. It explains everything and nothing.” When you hear a public official or pundit say that…

Read More

A Flurry of Bills Followed Larry Nassar’s Conviction. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.

[injusticetoday.com – 5/24/18] The history of child sex abuse legislation in the United States follows a well-worn pattern: a chilling incident rouses public anger and fear, to which lawmakers respond with expansive, emotionally charged legislative action. The 1994 Jacob Wetterling Act, the first law to establish federal guidelines requiring states to implement sex offender registries, was named after an 11-year-old Minnesotan who was kidnapped and murdered by a suspected pedophile. Megan’s Law, mandating public notification about registered sex offenders when deemed necessary, was introduced directly in response to the brutal…

Read More

NV: Giunchigliani amendment exempted teachers from bill expanding sex offender reporting laws

[rgj.com – 5/23/18] Democratic governor hopeful Chris Giunchigliani, a former teacher and state lawmaker, helped hollow out a proposed law that would’ve required teachers who have sex with an underage student to register as sex offenders. Then-Assemblywoman Giunchigliani — an ex-teachers union boss who in January won an endorsement from the Nevada State Education Association — waited until the second-to-last day of the 2005 legislative session to submit an amendment that scuttled a proposed expansion of sex offender reporting laws. Her last-minute revision came less than two weeks after the…

Read More

MO: Missouri Supreme Court disciplines prosecutor who criticized letter writers in the press

[missourinet.com – 5/23/18] The Missouri Supreme Court has sided with a disciplinary counsel in deciding that Platt County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd violated rules of professional responsibility. Missouri Supreme Court – Image courtesy of Missouri Courts Zahnd publicly criticized letter writers who expressed support for a man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting one of his daughters. In doing so, the high judges determined that Zahnd engaged in prejudicial conduct meant to embarrass the letter writers and fined him $750. The state Disciplinary Counsel had asked for stiffer penalties, including a…

Read More

MI: Michigan lawmakers advance legislation on mandated reporters

[mytwintiers.com 5/23/18] LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Sports coaches, the types of paid employees who allegedly learned Larry Nassar was molesting gymnasts and other athletes before the sexual abuse scandal broke, would still not be required to report such suspected abuse to the authorities under a watered-down proposal to expand Michigan’s mandatory reporting law. A state House committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would add physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and – in a reversal from a day earlier – athletic trainers to the list of mandatory reporters. But it…

Read More

OH: Evading Justice: How some accused rapists in Cuyahoga County avoid the sex offender registry

The sex offender registry is an important tool that tracks those convicted of sexual assault to keep the public safe. A 5 On Your Side six-month-long investigation uncovered a loophole that allows many accused rapists to evade the registry. https://www.news5cleveland.com/longform/evading-justice-how-some-accused-rapists-in-cuyahoga-county-avoid-the-sex-offender-registry

Read More