Is there hope on the horizon? The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in Nichols v. United States, a case that pitted the federal government against a registrant who left the state of Kansas in order to move permanently to the Philippines. The government argued before the Court that the registrant violated the law by failing to notify Kansas of his departure before he actually departed. That argument is not hope. Instead, hope came in the form of pointed questions and statements made by several Supreme Court justices during…
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SCOTUS: Justices on both sides invoke Scalia in sentencing case
WASHINGTON — The late Justice Antonin Scalia’s writing turned up in dueling Supreme Court opinions Tuesday, a fitting tribute to the justice who co-authored an entire book on interpreting the law. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan both invoked the book Scalia wrote with Bryan Garner in 2012 in a case over a lengthy prison term for a man convicted of possessing child pornography. Full Article
Read MoreSCOTUS: Justices skeptical about government’s interpretation of sex-offender-registration law (Analysis)
In the early days of Monday Night Football, as soon as it became evident that the game was effectively over, color commentator “Dandy” Don Meredith would begin to croon, “Turn out the lights, the party’s over . . . .” During the government’s argument in Tuesday’s hearing in Nichols v. United States, the lights in the courtroom actually went out. And, if the Justices’ hostile questioning of the government’s lawyer provides any clue, the party may indeed be over. After Daniel Hansmeier, the federal public defender representing petitioner Lester Ray…
Read MoreGeneral Comments March 2016
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of March 2016. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
Read MoreSCOTUS: Justices weigh whether sex offenders should be tracked worldwide
Members of the Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared skeptical of the federal government’s argument that a registered sex offender should be required to notify authorities when moving to another country. Full Article Oral Argument Transcript Case History Related Justices Target Unclear Sex Offender Registration Rule – Criminal Law Reporter Argument preview: When a sex offender moves out of the country, does he have to tell anyone? – CA RSOL
Read MoreOH: Loophole in sex offender registry law aided online sexual predators
A loophole in Ohio’s sex offender registry law may have aided a Cleveland man and convicted sexual predator in soliciting a 14-year-old girl for sex on the internet. … Current Ohio law requires registered sex offenders to provide change of registered address, registered address verification, notice of intent to reside, and change of registered vehicle, email, Internet, and telephone information. “But we have found that there’s nothing in the law that requires it to be accurate,” Senator John Eklund, District 18, said of the internet information in particular. Eklund, a co-sponsor…
Read MoreJapan: Court demands ‘right to be forgotten’ for sex offender
A Tokyo court has ordered that Google remove any results linked to the arrest of a man, after a judge ruled that he deserves to rebuild his life ‘unhindered’ by online records of his criminal history. Citing the right to be forgotten, the Saitma district court demanded the removal of all personal information online related to the conviction. While the decision was made back in December, the case has only recently been revealed publicly following the discovery of leaked court papers. Full Article
Read MoreThe media is making parents hysterical
If you watched the Oscars on Sunday night, you learned that there are two very scary things in the world. (Three if you count Heidi Klum’s dress.) 1. Grizzly bears. 2. Men. Full Article
Read MoreFAC Files UN Human Rights Complaint over International Megan’s Law
The Florida Action Committee today has submitted a complaint to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on behalf of our members and registrants in the State of Florida who are now subject to the new requirements of the International Megan’s Law. If you are interested in filing a complaint on your own behalf, please contact [email protected] to request instructions. FAC Statement
Read MoreInjured U.S. vets now hunting child predators
Largo, Florida (CNN)Ret. Sgt. Tom Block is sitting in the classroom, looking restless. He and 23 other highly specialized, highly coveted candidates are all vying for a job where they will be exposed to horrifying images of child sex abuse and the worst humanity has to offer. Full Article
Read MoreBill Sets Discipline for Students Who Engage in Sexting
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A state lawmaker is carrying a bill that would let schools suspend or expel kids for sexting — sharing sexually explicit material via text message. Democratic Assemblyman Ed Chau of Arcadia says Assembly Bill 2536 would also require that health classes include information on the perils of sharing scandalous content. The Sacramento Bee reports Saturday (http://bit.ly/1Qkn7Ai) the bill specifically deals with images or video and focuses on cases where the message has “the effect of humiliating or harassing a pupil.” Full Article Related New Mexico teens…
Read MoreChelsea’s Law is working as hoped (Editorial)
Six years ago, an awful event — the rape and murder of Poway High School senior Chelsea King by John Gardner, a convicted sex offender who was free despite repeated parole violations, and who had previously raped and killed Escondido teen Amber Dubois — spurred lawmakers to action. The California Legislature unanimously passed Chelsea’s Law, introduced by then-Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego. Full Editorial 2014 Report Related http://www.kusi.com/story/31319274/six-years-later-san-diego-remembers-chelsea-king
Read MoreCT: Court Considers Whether Blind Sex Offender Should Lose State Housing Subsidy
A legally blind Hartford man had been receiving benefits through a rental assistance program for years when state officials kicked him out because he’s on the state’s sex offender registry. Full Article
Read MoreFL: Hillsborough proposal to restrict sexual predators could backfire, experts say
TAMPA — Keeping sex offenders far away from children is a popular idea for obvious reasons. And the Hillsborough County Commission is considering a measure that would force sexual predators to live even farther from places where children gather than current law requires. But experts say the proposal — modeled on restrictions enacted in Pasco County and across the country — is likely to make offenders more dangerous, not less. Full Article Related Litigant against Pasco’s sex predator rule vows same in Hillsborough
Read MorePA: Superior Court upholds sex offender’s registration order
The state Superior Court upheld a Lackawanna County judge’s ruling that extends the time a convicted sex offender must report his whereabouts under Megan’s Law from 10 years to life. .. The court acknowledged the reporting requirements are a burden for Mr. ____, but it likened them to requirements of a person who is on probation and must meet with a probation officer. It therefore found the requirement was not punitive. Full Article Court Decision
Read MoreIN: Supreme Court rules sex offenders who move to Indiana must register
INDIANAPOLIS — A sex offender required to register in any other state must also register with Indiana police if he or she relocates to the Hoosier State, regardless of when the initial sex crime was committed. The Indiana Supreme Court ruled 5-0 Thursday that it is not an unconstitutional retroactive punishment for the state to require sex offenders with registration obligations elsewhere to also register in Indiana. Full Article Related http://www.theindianalawyer.com/supreme-court-ex-post-facto-laws-dont-apply-to-2-sex-offenders/PARAMS/article/39607
Read MoreInternational Megan’s Law: Bad Public Policy
On Monday, February 8, 2016, President Obama signed HF 515, and it became Public Law 114-119, known casually as “International Megan’s Law” (IML). The very next day, Janice Bellucci, a civil rights attorney and President of CA-RSOL, filed a legal challenge in Federal Courts in California, citing constitutional violations of the First and Fifth Amendments, and the Ex Post Facto Clause. After careful review of the intent and apparent effect of this new Public Law, and the arguments raised in the legal challenge, it seems IML is not only unwarranted,…
Read MoreProtecting every child / Sex offenders, schools and safety / At a safe distance [UPDATED with Part 3]
Editor’s note: This is the third story in a three-part series regarding sex offenders and the ongoing need to protect children. PRINCETON — Illinois State Rep. Andy Skoog (D-76th) commented on the current laws surrounding registered sex offenders and the residency restriction limits they must follow as a way to cement community safety. Current Illinois legislation states a registered sex offender must remain at least 500 feet from a school, nursery, playground or essentially any place where adolescent activity might take place. Skoog agrees with the notion increasing the restriction…
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