A lawsuit before a federal appeals court may have broad implications for Alabama’s sex offender laws, which some critics claim are the harshest in the United States.
Montgomery resident Michael McGuire is suing the state of Alabama for relief from the residency restrictions, travel limits, sex offender registration and other punishments that accompany a conviction of a sexual offense. The case is before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Full Article
Yeah, they love to play “if it saves one life/child” card! That really is a weak-ass, tone-deaf, out-of-touch and oblivious argument to begin with. Even if “public notification” DID save just one child, it wouldn’t cancel out the untold, undue and irreparable harm being done to almost a million people!
In no way shape, form or fashion does the registry “safeguard” human life – it DESTROYS it.
What the registry TRIES to prevent is NOT possible. When are they going to give up this safety illusion pipe dream??? Society is actually being done a disservice.
“For every statistic that points one way, you can get a statistic and point the other way,” [Sen. Cam] Ward said. “From what I can tell from people I talk to around Alabama, they are sympathetic to things like expungement on property crimes and they want to reduce recidivism, but for the most part, I haven’t heard anyone saying I wish sex offenders would catch a break.”
Umm, no, there aren’t statistics pointing the other way, Sen. Ward. And I’m guessing if you ask people if they think arsonists should catch a break, or murderers, or embezzlers, they’d reply the same way as for RCs. What a stupid statement.
“These people are raping people knowing that they’re going to have to register as a sex offender, and if that doesn’t scare them, they shouldn’t be mad about the punishment.”
Let’s take a look at what this woman said. First, I doubt any rapist has the consequence of registration in mind when committing. Second, if the rapist were to think about that aspect, it may well become rape and murder…at least with murder, there’s no registry and probably won’t have a life sentence, either. But most importantly in this statement is that “these people…shouldn’t be mad about the punishment.” Aha…punishment. Hmm, so even though the government swears up and down it’s not punishment, this rape victim sees it as such. I’m thinking if good old Sen. Ward talked a bit more to people around Alabama, he may well find that the public in general views the registry and restrictions as punishment. But we wouldn’t want that truth out, would we Senator?
Good thing we have a rational, understanding person in charge of the US DoJ, hailing from Alaba….oh wait, never mind.
Did Alabama run research work on their registry program to definitively state whether or not the registry is working?
All this guy and his lawyer need to do is replicate what Snyder did in Michigan. Actually, all he needs to do is cite Snyder. But I’d like the lawyer to inquire and emphasize how the state of Alabama has been scientifically reviewing the registry.
The convicted served their time. But the police and other people want EXTRA punishment levied on the convict? Well, that doesn’t make any sense.
Macguire’s lawyer stated this:
===========================
“He feels like he’s in prison again, a prison without bars,” said Phil Telfeyan, McGuire’s lawyer. “He is restricted where he can live, where he can take jobs. It’s like being a permanent prisoner.”
===========================
Registration isn’t punishment. 13th amendment prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude unless to punish a crime.
Sounds so simple to destroy the registry… if only people can conceive that registration is today’s version of slavery/involuntary servitude. A free person that is not paid to do compelled service to the state – a permanent prisoner without bars (being under custody to the state after completion of punishment custody is still being under custody).
Research?! What is that??!! (Sips more moonshine while lookin’ at ya from under a straw hat and in overalls)
Your point about Snyder is a good one. How many other atty’s follow closely cases like this or read websites like this for info to use going forward? Sure there as to be some inflow of intel to them from external sources staying current?
Of course, how can you take the article that serious when the writer ignores the fact that AL is NOT the only state to stamp DL’s with SO on them (Research? What is that?!). We know currently Oklahoma (where the wind blows….) does it as does FLA (the flaccid state which we all just read about the poor lady who did not check her license carefully at the DOL (or DMV/MVD if you prefer) and walked out with it stamped on hers where it was noticed at Mouseworld!) Sooo, the Anniston Army Depot must be leaking something in the water, air or both down there because it is impacting the state congressional members as well as the local press.
I have read Mr. McGuire’s story before. He was a musician in WDC for years and has another article detailing his situation.
“…and the only state that puts the sex offender stamp on a driver’s license.”
That’s not true.
“Our research shows they can’t be rehabilitated…” Rep. Randy Wood
Rep. Wood, we’d all love to see that research you speak of !
Once again here’s government represenatives who equate all SO’s with pedophilia and rape.
These people really need to educate themselves before they open their mouths.