Authorities in Fresno, California, are inflicting “cruel and unusual punishment” on registered sex offenders and violating the U.S. Constitution by requiring the individuals to appear in person for registration updates during the coronavirus pandemic, three offenders contend.
In an April 28 complaint filed in the Eastern District of California, those John Doe plaintiffs say the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are running afoul of the Eighth and 14th Amendments and the California Sex Offender Registration Act by requiring convicted sex offenders to physically appear for their 30-day, 90-day or annual registration updates.
The state statute only requires that in-person registration occur for those who move out of state, for those who change their residence address or for those who legally change their names, according to the complaint. It does not call for initial registrations or for 30-day, 90-day or annual updates to be conducted inside a police station, according to the complaint.
The first John Doe considers himself vulnerable because he is 71, the second John Doe is worried because he is 68 and has chronic medical conditions that include hypertension, and the third John Doe is concerned because he has asthma, according to the complaint.
“Plaintiffs are gravely afraid of contracting COVID-19 should they be forced to register in [Fresno Police Department] and [Fresno County Sheriff’s Office] stations,” the complaint reads.
There is no practical reason for registered sex offenders to have to physically appear for such updates, as authorities are simply confirming information that they already possess or are obtaining information that could be confirmed over the telephone or via a teleconference link, as police in Los Angeles and other locales are currently doing amid concerns over the novel coronavirus, according to the complaint.
Thugs! Bullies! Great job Janice. Here is my 1 million dollar question? When (OC) I went to OC, there was a sign posted at the door: registrants call this number to check in? I submitted my info like I was registering? Did I register? How will I know? Very vague! Should I call back?
The USA government is running afoul of the US Constitution period in many instances. Many state citizens are protesting for their rights and rightly so (albeit some are using this time for other rights issues not imminently potent). Many state citizens are also trying to save our lives from this horrendous bug (no matter where it came from).
The country is divided between staying closed or opening up. Both have arguments.
Where will this civil disagreement go?
Oh yes. I took a photo.
The entire system in our country concerning so called RSO’s is unjust and that is left to God to judge us all for. In my opinion the pandemic is directly God’s judgement against our country for all of it’s unjust, unconstitutional oppression of it’s citizens through our unjust justice system. It is obvious that many Christians are most susceptible to committing sex offence crimes because of our sick obsession with the word sex and everything that goes with that. When we involve any crime that includes a large amount Christians and then proceed to treat them inhumanly we will be judged for it very badly. I believe the inhuman sentencing and treatment of so called registered sex offenders has allot to do with the word sex, in that unfair title. The media/internet capitalizes on sex offender news because sex sells; I have said this since 2001. Unless we turn from our evil ways God will continue to judge us all until we are no more significant than any third world country or completely gone all together. This is all proficiency in the Bible; the only difference is how fast we end up there. I have said since the 1st post I ever made on the internet about RSO’s in 2001; that our country would end up a 3rd world country by our inhuman treatment of RSO’s. I leave it all up to the Lord to judge it all; like I know he does. I do not envy all those in charge of things like this and like us all, should be; obligated to pray for our elected officials, to make the right decisions not matter how popular it might be to the media/internet.
There’s absolutely NO sense or urgency or immediacy to have one’s info “updated” during this crisis. That goes double for fingerprints!
When I got involved in all this my sister got me 2 ink pads for my fingerprints Here in VA. you mail them in which is more convient if they really need fingerprints. Even the picture taking is a bit out of line and if one has to go to visit their PO than a time line set should be in place but things do come up. Believe it or not we are still American Citizens with inalienable rights.
One might say if you take away rights than were is values or ethic’s today and true America equality. I don’t understand a lot of this crap and a lot of those inturred with all this crap that presents confusion during this pandermic ordeal. What’s wrong with mailing ones’ fingerprints in if thats the problem. Guess different states do things differently.
This whole country needs to wake up and get back to the days of true American Government that the four fathers set out and basic principals. Even legislative government is a sham.
Could this suit become moot since we the country is starting to open up again as the basis for it is COVID19, as I understand it?
@ love, peace, happiness actually I was just looking at the Gov’s review that from March 17 and for a mxiimum of 8-20 most business will be closed and I’m sewing a mask together. From the website there are 580 people that have died so far from this death. So we have about 8 thousand people here in VA in contact with the virus along with those in lock ups. Even your X-Rep Corrine Brown from Florida was released due to this virus. ACLU is pressing for release of many prisoners in many states. State Prisons’ all over the USA are having a terrible time with this virus.
If they let people go than thats beneficial. And yes the prison systems in Florida I’m sure are not fairing too well as are California and one just has to pray for those locked up if they are released or not. Its about all we can do . I’m sure their may be a lot of law suits before this is all over. So nothing wrong with a prayer or two. Doesn’t the bible say pray for your enemies.
In all love, peace, & happiness I think your just trying to get my goat but I like your style anyway. You remind me of a real McCoy back in W,VA. I’m sure the good Lord is with many so you hang in their.
And love,peace, happiness your right about a wake up call as we all need this. I don’t even think governments know what they are doing with their yakkitty yaya methods but they do the best they can. I can’t say much about how the country is run but this pandermic as you said is a wake up to government to wake up and smell the roses.
Their’s a reason for all season and God is not mocked or why do you think this pandermic is here that is affecting many even some imprisoned and even jailers and other officials plus family members. Its a shame in many ways as is all this registry ordeal many face or are going thru.
I’m tenn they making the offenders go to in office pro appointments ? My hub has serious health issues , and I’m concerned what protective measures will they have in place ? Mask , sanatizer , 6 feet distance , if they don’t have protective measures , it seems like it would be against rights , the country has opened most the states out here , the govt stuff is opened , they figure life goes on , , but therapy is not risking for anyone to get sick so it’s face time , pro was doing face time , now it’s in office starting June ,