The yellow star, the scarlet letter and ‘International Megan’s Law’

When I was growing up, in a Jewish family in Brooklyn in the 1950s, Hitler and the Holocaust were common subjects of conversation in my household.  Though at the time it all seemed like ancient history — along with the Civil War, the Black Death, the fall of Rome, and everything else that had ever happened before I was born — I realized, when I became an adult, that to my parents and their generation it must have seemed as though it had happened the day before yesterday. Full Article

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Vote “No” to Oppose International Megan’s Law

Votes are now being taken from the public regarding H.R. 515, International Megan’s Law, on a website that will report the votes to members of Congress.  It is important for registered citizens, family members and supporters to cast their vote.  As of the writing of this article, 59 percent of the public supports the bill and 41 percent opposes the bill.  We can change that tally dramatically by clicking on the link below.  It’s easy to do and will take less than 5 minutes.  Please ask your family members, friends and colleagues…

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Registrant Travel Action Group in Washington DC to Fight for Our Right to Travel

Registrant Travel Action Group (http://registranttag.org/), the National RSOL affiliate focused on protecting the travel rights of registered citizens, is in Washington DC to pound the pavement, speak to legislators and fight for our right to travel. As reported, in recent weeks the Senate passed a bill (the International Megan’s Law) that would severely impede the rights of registered citizens to travel internationally and expose them to potential danger when traveling. Among other things; the bill would authorize the government to notify other countries of a registrant’s intent to travel there…

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Janice’s Journal: The New Year Begins with a Frightening Roar

A new year has begun and because it is an election year it has started out with a roar. A roar that should frighten us all. Despite the fact that the year is only a few days old, we are already facing two pieces of legislation that could significantly increase the punishment inflicted upon registered citizens. First, we are facing Assembly Bill (AB) 201 in Sacramento. If passed, this bill would allow cities and counties to recreate the chaos that previously existed due to inconsistent laws that would prohibit registered…

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CA RSOL Meeting January 16 – Los Angeles

California RSOL’s first regular monthly meeting in 2016 will take place on January 16, 2016 in Los Angeles. As always, the location is the ACLU Building at 1313 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Start time is 10 am. We will focus on current topics, including pending legislation and legal actions as well as offer an opportunity for networking with others. We welcome registrants, friends and family and other supporters to attend. The meeting is off-limits to media and government officials in order to ensure everyone’s privacy. There is…

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Throwaway Children: The Tragic Consequences of a False Narrative

Abstract: Truth be told, we are afraid for our children and we are afraid of our children. The intersection of these disparate thoughts has produced a perfect storm. We have created increasingly harsh sex offender registration schemes to protect our children from sexual abuse. At the same time, fear of our children ensnares and punishes them under the very same laws that were designed to protect them. Yet, what compels action is premised on a false narrative that includes flawed studies on recidivism rates and misguided case decisions that embraced…

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Living with 290: What’s Next?

I started dating a guy 17 months ago. He recently told me he had a Federal PC290 conviction. Long story but he was in possession of 3 short videos on his PC (compliments of an adult step-child). He did 28 months. We both live in Orange County but different cities. Since he sometimes spends the night at my home his P.O. said he was required to go to the city I live in and register my address as a second address. He was told it was just a “paperwork” formality.…

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TX: Kids or Criminals? series – Locked up at 11, sex offender earns parole at age 32

Khristopher Hood has something he hasn’t had in decades. Hope. Hood was just 11 when he cried alone in his cell, locked up for molesting two younger female relatives. Now 32 and behind bars ever since, he just earned parole. The state will release him next year after he has nine months of intensive therapy. Sentenced to 40 years in 1995, Hood spent his childhood in state juvenile lockup and then, after he turned 17, in adult prison. Full Article

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WI: Manitowoc sex offender ordinance approved

Convicted sex offenders from outside Manitowoc can no longer legally be placed within the city limits after the City Council approved an ordinance regulating such placements. The council Dec. 21 unanimously approved the ordinance, which prohibits any convicted sex offender from residing or being placed on supervised release within the city limits unless the offender lived in the city at the time of the offense or previously resided in the city for more than five years. Full Article

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Living with 290: Monster

I was convicted of a Lewd and Lascivious act upon a minor between the age of 14 and 15 with there being a 10 year difference between us. This occurred in Orange County in October of 1994, I served 3 years probation and had to go to counseling for the 3 years. When the victim turned 18 we started a long term relationship that lasted over 8 years.  I understand the law and do realize the ramifications of my actions. This happened over 20 years ago and I have been…

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TX: Under lawsuit threat, small cities loosen laws restricting sex offenders

The cities of Pottsboro, Gunter and Whitewright all repealed existing laws restricting sex offenders from schools and public parks at recent city council meetings. This decision came on the heels of a legal notice the cities received from the Texas Voices for Reason and Justice. The advocacy group’s attorney sent this notice threatening to file a legal claim against these three unless their sex offender regulations were repealed. Full Article

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NC: Federal Judge Enjoins Enforcement of Sex Offender Premises Restriction

Federal Judge Enjoins Enforcement of Sex Offender Premises Restriction Posted on Dec. 17, 2015, 12:51 pm by Jamie Markham • 3 comments     A federal judge has permanently enjoined all North Carolina district attorneys from enforcing G.S. 14-208.18(a)(3), the law intended to prohibit certain sex offenders from being at places where minors gather for regularly scheduled educational, recreational, or social programs. Full Article

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