Registrants Sue City of San Diego in Federal Court

Two registrants challenged in federal court today residency restrictions within the City of San Diego that prohibit registrants from living within virtually all of the city.  The lawsuit was filed after the San Diego City Council refused to repeal the city’s residency restrictions despite a recommendation from the City Attorney because the restrictions are “likely not enforceable”. During the City Council’s meeting on August 1, Councilmembers defended the city’s residency restrictions and stated that they “don’t like them (registrants) living in our communities” as well as falsely stated that registrants cannot be rehabilitated.  One Council member added that rejecting…

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IN: County prosecutor – State effort valuable tool for parents seeking child care

A new state registry is meant to help parents look into the backgrounds of the people their children spend time with. Last year, the Indiana State Legislature approved a child abuse registry, which became available in July. The registry, which is searchable by name, will provide information about everyone convicted of child abuse-related offense in Indiana from the past five years. Full Article

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PA: Clarity on sex offenders: U.S. Supreme Court appeal needed for state ruling

The state Supreme Court has thrown into question the registration of as many as 4,500 sex offenders statewide. The case giving rise to the ruling originated in Cumberland County, and officials there have 90 days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. They should file the appeal to gain clarity on two important questions: At what point are sex offenders unjustly punished and to what extent should communities be informed about potentially dangerous people in their midst? Full Editorial

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LA: Debate builds over suggestion by child rape victim’s mother to create sex crimes arrest list

ST. TAMMANY –  Should there be a public list for sex crimes arrests similar to the state’s convicted sex offender registry? The mother of an alleged child rape victim is making that suggestion after learning her child’s accused attacker had been free on bond for almost eight years, awaiting trial for child pornography charges. “I’d love to open up a dialogue because there’s no reason that what happened to my daughter should happen to anybody else’s daughter,” she said, “That way we can look at these people and say, hey,…

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WI: Milwaukee may dramatically loosen sex offender residency restrictions

The City of Milwaukee may dramatically loosen its residency restrictions for sex offenders. The city’s current ordinance bans many sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places like schools, parks, and day care centers. A measure set to be considered Monday by the Common Council would reduce that “buffer” to 500 feet. Full Article

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PA: Cumberland County DA Freed to request U.S. Supreme Court review of sex offender decision

Roughly two weeks ago the Pennsylvania Supreme Court deemed the state’s current sex offender registration law to be punishment and ultimately barred by both the state and federal constitutions when applied retroactively. That decision may now end up under review from the highest court in the country. Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said Friday his office would ask the Supreme Court of the United States to review the decision, which was handed down on July 19. Full Article

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