(KYTX) — It’s a story that has gotten national attention — a 19-year-old Indiana teen forced to register as a sex offender after having sex with a girl he thought was of age. It turned out she was only 14. Now, many are asking if sex offender laws do more harm than good. With the click of a mouse, you can find out who the registered sex offenders are in your neighborhood. But while it may provide some peace of mind to the people living nearby, critics argue the registry should be reserved for…
Read MoreAuthor: Admin
General Comments August 2015
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of August 2015. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
Read MoreValidity of sex offender residency restrictions under fire again
Suit against Arcadia says exclusion zones made it impossible for plaintiff to find housing The constitutionality of sex offender residency restrictions is under further scrutiny in Arcadia following a lawsuit filed Monday by attorney Janice Bellucci, president of California Reform Sex Offender Laws. The suit, which comes months after the state Supreme Court ruled that blanket residency restrictions in San Diego County were unconstitutional, is the first in what Bellucci promised to be a “series” against Los Angeles County. “They have terrible residency restrictions which we’ve estimated prohibit registered citizens…
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Joins National RSOL in Seattle
California RSOL joined national RSOL this week at the National Conference for State Legilsators (NCSL) in Seattle. More than 5,000 elected officials, staff and lobbyists attended this annual event. It is the third year national RSOL has had a booth at the conference. “The NCSL conference provided us with unique opportunities to meet with legislators and their stafff in an informal setting,” stated CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “We provided them with important facts regarding registered citizens such as the low rate of re-offense.” During the conference, a hot topic…
Read MoreDear 37 Million Ashley Madison customers: Welcome to Our World
I am a registered sex offender. Now, before you get convulsions, reach for your pistol, knife, baseball bat, scream obscenities, flip me off, or whatever, hear me out, because for once, it’s not about me, it’s about YOU. Full Article on sosen.org
Read MoreDems Kill Safety Bill (Commentary by Sen. Sharon Runner)
Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to make the sex offender residency restrictions in voter-approved Jessica’s Law more workable, while still keeping the integrity of the law intact. Senate Bill 54 was designed to clarify any confusion caused by In Re Taylor, the recent decision of the California Supreme Court regarding the California Department of Corrections’ enforcement of sex offenders in San Diego County. Full Commentary Related Janice’s Journal: Senate Bill 54 – Is the Battle Over? Maybe, Maybe Not
Read MoreThe Supreme Court’s Crucial Mistake About Sex Crime Statistics
Proponents of criminal justice reform never talk about sex offenders. They’re political untouchables subject to lifelong restrictions that continue long past their confinement, restrictions justified as necessary to protect the public from their propensity to re-offend. Two Supreme Court decisions established that justification. But they rely on a scientific study that doesn’t exist. Full Article Related ‘Frightening and High’: The Frightening Sloppiness of the High Court’s Sex Crime Statistics
Read MoreMN: Federal judge bans media, public from major sex offender conference
A federal judge has barred the media and other members of the public from attending a legal parley on a case that will determine the future of Minnesota’s sex offender program, a ruling that immediately raised questions about public access and open government. Full Article
Read MoreShould Therapists Have to Report Patients Who Viewed Child Pornography?
A new law meant to protect children could lead to fewer pedophiles getting treatment before acting on their sexual impulses. Full Article
Read MorePA: 3 men jailed for separate sex assaults of 12-year-old girl from OKCupid dating website
A trio of Lancaster County men recently stood before a local judge and admitted to sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl they met in an online chatroom. … Each man told Reinaker they met the girl through OKCupid, an online dating website. Each claimed they believed the girl was over 18. She was, in fact, 12 at the start of the contact, police reported. … Cory Miller, ____’ lawyer, said the victim continued to use the website even after the men were charged. Full Article
Read MoreVA: Sex offenders who have kids put schools in awkward spot
Bayside Middle School administrators banned the father of a student this past school year after learning he had pleaded guilty a decade earlier to having sex with a 14-year-old when he was 21. Full Article
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: Summer Summary
It has been a long, hot summer and we have much to be proud of. We stopped three bills in the state legislature (AB 201, SB 267 and SB 54) and we forced the modification of an additional bill (SB 448). If the legislators who proposed the bills had their way, cities and counties would be allowed to prohibit registered citizens from visiting both public and private places as well as living near those places. In addition, all registered citizens would be required to disclose their internet identifiers. There is…
Read MoreShelby Introduces International Megan’s Law to Prevent Child Exploitation
WASHINGTON, DC – Monday, July 27, 2015 – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today introduced S.1867, legislation to protect children from exploitation by establishing an international notification system to provide advanced notice of travel by registered sex offenders to destination countries. This legislation is a companion to H.R. 515, which was introduced by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Full Press Release S.1867 Related FY 2016 DOJ Interpol Brief (p 14/15, 18) Interpol and Green Notices International Megan’s Law / RSO Travel Issues Janice’s Journal: Registered Citizens Trapped in U.S. Green…
Read MoreLiving with 290: Pulling the Rug Out from Under Me (and my family) – UPDATED
I was just released three months ago. My father came to be with me for the first week, as he had moved out to Texas for his job some years ago. He, along with the rest of my family who live locally, wanted to help me settle in. The day after my release, I reported to the parole offices as required, where my father and I were hoping to discuss my housing options with my PO. We waited four hours after leaving a message to his office before finding out…
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Leads Protest in Carson
California RSOL led a second protest in Carson to voice opposition to the city ordinance that prohibits all registered citizens from both visiting and residing near public and private places. The protest included a demonstration outside City Hall as well as inside a City Council meeting. “Carson is the only city in California that continues to prohibit registered citizens from visiting public places such as libraries and swimming pools as well as private places such as fast food restaurants,” stated California RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “These actions are unlawful because…
Read MoreConvicted sex offenders seeking more rights in Carson
On a street corner in a city where they aren’t welcome, a handful of convicted sex offenders continues to press the city of Carson to change its ways. Full Article
Read MoreNY: Bronx Dad’s Case Tests Restrictions on Sex Offenders
MANHATTAN (CN) – With a name resembling a kindergartner’s alphabet primer, the lawsuit ABC v. DEF takes on far more insidious themes – namely the parental rights of a Bronx man who spent eight years in prison for raping his ex’s teenage niece. A federal judge issued an order in the case last week that could earn that man unspecified financial compensation from New York state. Full Article
Read MoreME: Residency restrictions for sex offenders offer false sense of security (Editorial)
Old Orchard Beach is considering placing restrictions on where sex offenders can live in the seaside, southern Maine community. While such restrictions could make residents and visitors feel safer, registries and limits on where offenders can live and work haven’t been shown to make much difference in their two-decade history. Instead, a heightened focus on treatment and rehabilitation would likely be more effective at reducing the horrific crime of sex abuse. Full Article
Read More