I’d been dreading this day for months – the final day before my Oklahoma state driver’s license expired. Recently, my state had passed legislation requiring that the licenses of those convicted of aggravated sex offenses be marked “Sex Offender” in bold capital red letters in two different locations on the front of the card.
Red letter days are supposed to be joyful occasions, but not so much in this case. I certainly wasn’t going to submit to this particular humiliation by renewing my license any earlier than necessary, so I procrastinated until the very last moment. Perhaps I was simply in denial. Maybe I was hoping against hope that our elected representatives and the courts would miraculously come to their senses and see the utter insanity of this policy before Thursday rolled around. But, of course, that didn’t happen.
That morning, I prepared myself mentally by indulging in a sumptuous meal. I’ve always believed that bad things seem even worse on an empty stomach. I showered, shaved, and put on a new shirt. “Look good, feel good, and you’ll be at your best,” is what my mother always told me. I drove the scenic route to the licensing agency. I was in absolutely no hurry to do this. I pulled into the parking lot, took a few deep breaths, and strode into the airy office with a smile on my face that didn’t reflect the churning in my stomach.
For the first time in my life, I was hoping for a long line… and yet there I was, the only customer in the place. A woman beckoned me to her station, and I handed her my expiring license with a smile. “I need to renew this,” I said. I silently considered adding some pithy remark befitting a condemned man on his way to the gallows but realized that I’d probably then have to explain it, which would only make things worse. She cheerfully invited me to have a seat in another lady’s cubicle and I did.
She asked me if any of my information had changed. I thought, everything has changed. My life has been turned upside down. I was nearly bankrupted. Society now considers me a monster. I smiled and said, “No, nothing’s changed.”
She was undoubtedly viewing my information on her computer screen and the digital proof of the license as we chatted. SEX OFFENDER. Big. Bold. Red. Letters. If this perturbed her in any way, she gave no indication of it whatsoever. Instead, she asked, “Are you a veteran?”
I responded, “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”
She positively beamed, “We can also print VETERAN on your license! You know, in case you want to get a military discount while shopping or at restaurants!” I chuckled and told her to go ahead and add it.
Not that I’ll be showing off my new red-letter license to the cashier at IHOP anytime soon.
by Michael M.
Editor, RegistryReport.org
This has to go before SCOTUS at some point. As kuch as all SORNA policies get compared to Nazi policies, the branding of a citizen on their identification solely for the purpose of public scrutiny is literally what the Nazis used to do to opressed demographics.
If I were you, I would show that license off everywhere I could. Ask people what they think about it and if they indicate in any way that they approve of it, you should nicely tell them that they are not an American, should go F themselves, and have a terrible day. I go out of my way to be unkind to anyone who supports this harassment.
We all need to remember that we have nothing to be ashamed of. People who support the $EX Offender Registries do. They are idiotic, backwards, immoral criminals.
These attacks are criminal acts of war. The rubes who support them should not be treated in any other way except as war criminals. There is no reason to believe that they have any moral or ethical authority in the slightest.
Have to wonder if Millard could have any positive impact on those in OK who are within the Tenth Circuit’s Area of Responsibly…
I hope so…similar principle with a different item. As much as you need to show your ID/DL these days, makes me wonder “If….”
Sorry to hear it. I dread this happening in California.
I’m curious to know what would be considered an “agravated” sex offense.
This is a terrible thing. I wonder what justification the state used to pass this law? Whatever it is, it is bull. No matter what the state says, the real reason has got to be to shame, humiliate, retaliate against, and to punish the ex-offender.
It would be hard to live with that.
Wow, the fact they stamp “sex offender” on someone’s driver’s license is absurd. I sure hope that doesn’t come to California…
I still think there’s a decent compelled speech case about this topic, if one uses Maynard v. Wooley (license plates). Marking one’s ID/DL certainly is not the least restrictive and most narrowly tailored method of getting the State’s public safety message out. Heck, the State doesn’t even have control over how, when or if the message gets out, since a RC could avoid all situations requiring its use!
There’s also Smith to consider here. No longer is “the notification system is a passive one” as in Smith. A citizen is bombarded by the information the moment a RC shows his/her ID/DL. As well, the RC herself/himself must actively speak for the State every time s/he uses the ID/DL. Also, the ID/DL marking in no way allows for the “dissemination of accurate information about a criminal record”, it just brands the person…shames her/him through face-to-face interactions—a traditional form of punishment.
Additionally, there is no dangerousness disclaimer, something key to the CT DPS decision, and there is insufficient information for a citizen to make an informed decision about a particular RC. (I forget which case it was, but this was cited as one of the benefits to the public of having RCs’ offenses listed.)
There is an answer to the problem of having to have a stamped “Sex Offender” to your license…get a duel residency in another state! I am from Texas and due to my mother living in Texas I find myself often living there part of the year. I am not required to register as a sex offender in the state of Texas (non-SORNA state) so I opted to get a Texas driver’s license and tags for my car. If I was the person in Oklahoma I’d certainly consider the dual residency option. Dealing with bullies in 3 ways 1) appease then 2) Avoid/run from them 3) fight them. In this instance #2 option of avoiding the issue might be the best option.
Does anyone know if they’re doing this in florida yet? I have to renew my license in a few months, and I already have the statute indicator on mine but I’ve also procrastinated and am fearful of having to get mine renewed as well
How awful. Imagine if you are lucky enough to land a good job (no background check) and then the employer asks “I’ll need to make a copy of your Drivers License and SS# for our records”.
When the judges finally catch up with reality, there is going to be a big restitution due to those disabled by these willful acts of hatred.
How is the hell is this anything to do with public safety. It is public shaming by a bunch of nazis in the asylum they call the state legislature. My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to those affected and afflicted with this extreme measure of cruelty and depraved indifference.
We are all ” so much more than a few meaningless words on a license.”
Don’t give it another thought, how often do any of us or anyone else for that matter, ever look at our licenses?
Just live your life.
This is absurd ….. especially when schools can now use technology that instantly scans DLs and will identify any Registrant. There’s absolutely no reason it should be printed on any DL except for the sole intention of shaming the license holder. 😡
It is unconscionable for the State of Oklahoma to add a Scarlet Letter to registrants’ drivers licenses! There are so many times when a driver’s license can be required as ID and I can’t think of even one reason when the person who asks for ID has a “need to know” that person is a registrant. This is also compelled speech and should be challenged in the Oklahoma courts.
If you travel, good luck trying to get a hotel/motel room with that on your license.
smfh..
Lively discussion on this topic at the National level organization’s website. Had to leave a comment with the Maynard v Wooley case suggestion.
AL already, stopped this….! Law states, you must sign a sworn affidavit at dmv saying you have relinquished all former ids and you will be fined and imprisoned for violating SORNA and Federal, State laws !
Can somebody please remind me why don’t those convicted of a drug offense have “Drug Dealer” stamped on their driver’s license… even if that offense was 20 years ago? After all, they pose an even greater risk to Public Safety as they have a much higher recidivism rate. And how about “Drunk Driver”?? They may have been convicted once 10 years ago, but they still should have it stamped on their license as if they are – each time the license is presented – under the influence/intoxicated. Again, much higher rate of recidivism and also a significant public safety risk. Wouldn’t “Drunk Driver” be far more relevant to have stamped on a driver’s license???
I agree David,
So quick you take things away from us and replace them with restrictions and burdensome rules that only apply to our group.
I’ve thought about pushing for others with a criminal record to be forced to enjoy what we must endure in hopes that we would eventually have a large enough group of pissed off ppl to create some real pushback. Tho I’m my heart of hearts, I know what our government is doing is wrong and I wouldn’t want to give them anymore citizens to throw into the fire.
So sorry to hear you going thru that. Yes, it seems just about the time you start to feel human again, something comes up and knocks you right back down.
Does anyone know if you have to have the label on your drivers license even if you no longer have to register? I know someone who didn’t have to register anymore because of the supreme court abolishing the retroactive registration requirement, but he doesn’t know if he’ll still have to keep it on his license.