AR: A 30-year sentence for sex offender failure to register: How far over the top will this go?

Source: NARSOL.org 6/14/24

By Sandy . . . It happened in Arkansas, in Garland County, and, according to local media, the jury deliberated for 17 minutes before recommending the highest allowable sentence plus a $5,000.00 fine.

Granted, this registrant does have a rather colorful history of failing to register. He has several convictions for that offense in three states, including this one and another in Arkansas. However, his criminal record reveals only one other conviction, his sexual crime conviction in 2002.

Making this situation even more ludicrous, this most current conviction was not an actual refusal to register as required. He had registered, and timely, but he moved from that location and failed to report the move to local law enforcement within five days. He was shortly thereafter arrested, so they clearly had little difficulty locating him.

There is no indication whatsoever that he took advantage of his flying beneath the radar to commit any new crimes.

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Weird how circumstances are always spun to make those accused of FTR appear so damn dangerous, and yet there is never an actual sex crime in conjunction with the FTR. The reverse is also true – registrants who actually do commit another sex offense (which are few and far between) are always registry compliant.

I really wish/hope that the next time an attorney is challenging the constitutionality of the registry in court manages to find a way to fit that into their argument.

30 years for FTR is beyond ridiculous even with a checkered past. When will this insanity stop or do I need to back into my shell while society continues to be rabid.

So, is there an appeal? Because it’s nice to chat about these issues but to just let this person go under for something so ludicrous….? I’ll bet there isn’t one attorney who will pro bono this.

California is even worse, last time I was in court for FTR they were trying give me life.
My 290 conviction strike 1 then my felony FTR charge strike 2 with a five year prior felony enhancement, then my Second FTR charge with 2 prior felony enhancements and strike 3
Judge refuses to send me to prison for 25 to life the DA objected the judge overruled probation was granted.
If I do anything and I mean anything I’m going away for life.

Again, FTR’s that result in jail or prison, is not “regulatory” but rather, “punishment”.

This flies in the face of Smith vs Doe.

There needs to be an appeal to drag this right back to SCOTUS. This would be a case knowledgeable lawyers need to get involved with.

Who is held accountable, when you call day after day, yet phones go unanswered when you try day after day to make a appointment to update your information. I know several in Missouri this has happened to, it’s a system set up for failure. They pass laws to make it a felony, yet so many don’t even do their jobs to make it possible.

30 years for FTR is a POS ( Punishment on Steroids). Our system needs an overhaul and focus on rehabilitation and not just punishment.

This guy has a very significant criminal history. The 30 years isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be. He will be eligible for parole in 2028. Texas has people in prison for an FTR that won’t be eligible for parole in this century.
There should be no registries and no convictions for FTR, but this article overplays the sentence, the very same thing the media does when it overplays sex crimes and supports these registries.

The guy repeated the same behavior over and over again, so what did he expect? There are some states that don’t give second chances due to mandatory minimums. It seems like this guy had his second chances. Harsher sentences for repeated offenses isn’t just unique to sex crimes