For many of those charged with sexual offenses, law enforcement may be the unfriendly enemy. Police have the unfortunate job of enforcing laws that dictate where we go, who we see, what we do. They search our homes, ask invasive questions, make our lives and those of our family down-right miserable. The very sight of blue uniforms and police cars can drive up our blood pressure and make us second-guess our actions. While police are not necessarily the law makers, they are the enforcers and often the object and target…
Read MoreMonth: May 2020
OH: Coronavirus In Ohio: People With Sex Offenses Risk Health For In-Person Registration
[radio.wosu.org – 5/7/20] Even as most Ohioans are encouraged to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, people convicted of sexual offenses are still required to register in person. Some Ohio counties and even nearby states have waived that in-person requirement, but most, including Franklin County, have not. “So we are crossing over to the records department here in Franklin County where they make everyone start their registration journey,” says Zach Ruppel. Ruppel is familiar with this journey: He often walks people through the sex offender registration process for their first…
Read MoreAustralia: Alleged sex offenders to lose anonymity under changes to South Australian law
[msn.com – 5/7/20] South Australian legal reforms that strip alleged sex offenders of their right to anonymity have been hailed as an important safety measure by the victim of a notorious paedophile. But senior legal figures have warned the change could lead to vigilante justice and destroy the reputations of those who are charged but later acquitted. The changes, which have come into effect today, mean anyone charged with a sex offence can be named from their first court appearance. One of two brothers preyed on by convicted paedophile Vivian…
Read MoreFL: Court: Miami jail can’t be forced to give inmates soap, tests during coronavirus outbreak
[miamiherald.com – 5/5/20] A federal appeals court has blocked, for now, a judge’s order forcing Miami-Dade County to give masks, soap and cleaning supplies to inmates at a jail wracked by the novel coronavirus. The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday said that Miami District Court Judge Kathleen Williams overstepped the law when she ruled that inmates at the Metro West Detention Center must get the supplies — and also be tested for COVID-19, as well as people who have been in contact with them. “To avoid contempt,…
Read MoreMay Newsletter from the Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center
The Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center distributes electronically, and free of charge, a monthly newsletter detailing new caselaw, scholarship, and other important developments in the field of sex offense litigation and policy. May Newsletter
Read MoreCA: Sexual assault suspect released from Santa Rita jail due to COVID-19
[kron4.com – 5/5/20] An emergency order to release non-violent inmates from jail due to COVID-19, appears to have been used to release a violent sexual assault suspect, according to an East Bay city official. The council that wrote the order says that was not the intention. “When the bail motion was made we strenuously objected to it,” Alameda County District Attorney spokesperson Teresa Drenick said. “The attorney specifically petitioned Judge Reardon to reduce his bail,” Livermore Mayor John Marchand said. There is controversy regarding the an Alameda County Superior Court…
Read MoreA $5 Billion Proposal to Fight Online Child Sexual Abuse
New legislation would try to curb the illegal imagery with record levels of funding for law enforcement. The bill, coming in response to a Times investigation, also calls for a new oversight position in the White House. Full Article
Read MoreCA: ACSOL Sues Fresno Cops For Forcing Sex Offenders To Appear Amid COVID-19
[law360.com – 5/3/20] 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…
Read MoreGeneral Comments May 2020
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of May 2020. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil. This section is not intended for posting links to news articles without additional relevant comment.
Read MoreLiving with 290: Advice, please
I feel so very sad for my son. He was in prison on pumped up accusations and now has a monitor on. He has suvere nightmares and PTSD. Because of the Covid19 he can’t get into mental health or get any medicine for anxiety. He was told at sentencing his parole would be 3 or 5 years but they bumped it up to 10. Can he ever get the parole lowered? Can he get the monitor off soon? Will he be able to get an out of county transfer? He…
Read MoreNevada Registrants Are Needed for Plea Bargain Study
[Janice approves this study] Dr. Lisa Anne Zilney of Montclair State University in New Jersey is looking for Nevada research participants for a study titled “Contextualizing the experiences of sexual offenders“. These are the qualifications you must have: You must be in Nevada. You must be a registered sex offender. You must have had a tier change due to the 2018 Adam Walsh Act. Specifically we are looking for individuals who were tier 0 or tier 1. You must be 18+ years. It doesn’t matter if you are male or…
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