Dear Members and Advocates,
Some people travel to Los Angeles hoping to run into celebrities or rock stars. My trip to LA for the Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) provided just that.
To myself and most people in the advocacy community, Eric Janus, Ira Ellman, Adele Nicholas, Emily Horowitz, Janice Bellucci and the others that presented at ACSOL are our rock stars! I was fortunate to meet with, learn from and speak to these celebrities in person!
Professor (and former Law School Dean) Eric Janus established the Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center that not only puts out incredible research but serves as a think tank for many of us involved in registration litigation. Ira Ellman and his wife, Tara, completely debunked the “Frightening and High” myth that infested the Supreme Court’s decision in Smith v. Doe. Adele Nicholas just prevented the State of Illinois from keeping registered individuals confined after their release dates because they can’t afford housing (freeing hundreds of people), Emily Horowitz completely destroyed Marci Hamilton in a widely watched debate over whether the registry should be abolished, and Janice Bellucci (who is the Executive Director of ACSOL) is beyond a celebrity to those following our movement – If I’m able to accomplish in Florida one-quarter of what Janice has done for California, I will become a rock star myself!
I, too, throughly enjoyed the ACSOL conference, as it provided me with invaluable information and networking opportunities as well as incredible fellowship times, particularly during the Friday evening dinner. It was fantastic to simply have the opportunity to speak to fellow registrants and supporters over a fantastic meal.
I would highly recommend that you attend the next conference if you have not already had the opportunity to do so.