As summer comes to an end, we are waiting for justice. We are waiting for a judge’s decision in our challenge to the International Megan’s Law. We are waiting for cities to eliminate residency restrictions. We are waiting for a tiered registry bill to be introduced in the California state legislature. Why does it take so long? Why can’t judges, city officials and state legislators stop the punishment of registered citizens NOW? Perhaps it’s due to habit. For many people, including judges and elected officials, have adopted the habit of…
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Tustin City Council Begins Repeal of Residency Restrictions
The Tustin City Council, in a vote of 4 to 1, voted yesterday in favor of repealing the city’s residency restrictions which prohibit registered citizens from living in most of that city. The only “no” vote was cast by Mayor John Nielsen who did not explain his vote. This is the first of two steps required by the City Council to repeal the restrictions. The second step is expected to be taken at the next City Council meeting which is scheduled for September 6. “This is a significant victory for…
Read MoreMurrieta Residency Restrictions Stopped Again
A federal judge issued a Preliminary Injunction (PI) on Monday that stops enforcement of residency restrictions in the City of Murrieta. The judge’s decision, in effect, continues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) she issued about three weeks ago. Although the PI applies only to the plaintiff in this case now, its effect is expected to be extended to all registrants at a later time. “This is a significant victory for registrants and families living in the City of Murrietta,” stated attorney Janice Bellucci. “It is unfortunate that the City did…
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL is now Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws
California Reform Sex Offender Laws (CA RSOL) has a new name Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL). The new name is significant in two ways: 1. it no longer uses the name of the state in which it was incorporated and 2. it uses the term “sex offense” instead of “sex offender”. The CA RSOL board of directors determined that these changes are necessary because the organization has outgrown the borders of the State of California. For example, individuals in many states utilize the organization’s website on a regular…
Read MoreInternational Megan’s Law IML Protest – Registered Sex Offender’s Passports – Metamora Films
More than 40 people participated in a peaceful protest held outside the federal district court in Oakland, CA. Participants included registrants and supporters from California as well as several other states. View on YouTube
Read MorePeaceful Protest in Oakland Attracts More Than 40 People
More than 40 people today participated in a peaceful protest held outside the federal district court in Oakland. Participants included registrants and supporters from California as well as several other states, including Florida, Missouri and Oregon. Today’s protest included the burning of sex offender registration cards by six registrants led by CA RSOL Treasurer Frank Lindsay. Today’s protest was a tremendous success,” stated CA RSOL President Janice Bellucci. “We effectively communicated to the public and to the media our position that the International Megan’s Law (IML) violates the U.S. Constitution.” The protest immediately followed…
Read MoreFederal Judge Temporarily Stops Residency Restrictions in Murrieta
Federal judge Virginia Phillips issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) today that prohibits the City of Murrieta from enforcing its residency restrictions against a registrant who moved to his sister’s home earlier this month. The TRO will remain in effect until August 15 when a hearing will be held to determine whether the judge will grant additional injunctive relief. “This is a great victory for registrants,” stated attorney Janice Bellucci. “For the first time, a federal judge has stopped the enforcement of a city’s residency restrictions in the state of…
Read MoreEmotional Support Group Mtgs Resume in L.A. on August 6
Emotional Support Group meetings for registrants and their loved ones will resume in Los Angeles on August 6 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at the ACLU building, 1313 W. 8th Street, and free underground parking is available. There is no charge for attending the meeting. Participants are urged to arrive before 10 a.m. because access to the meeting will close at 10 a.m.
Read MoreACSOL Monthly Meetings: San Diego (Sep 10), Los Angeles (Oct 15)
Please mark your calendars for ACSOL’s upcoming monthly meetings. Registrants, friends and family and interested service providers are invited to attend these free meetings. There will be no law enforcement or media present in order to protect everyone’s privacy. The meetings start at 10 am and last about 2-3 hours. Topics of conversation include information about ACSOL’s advocacy as well as current topics and pending legal action. Please join us on one or all of these dates to Show up, Stand up, Speak up! September 10, San Diego (new date) California…
Read MoreCity of Arcadia Repeals Residency Restrictions
The Arcadia City Council unanimously voted on June 21 to repeal its residency restrictions. This action was the second and final step needed to permanently rid the city of restrictions that prohibited registered citizens from living within 2,000 feet of “residential exclusion zones”, which includes schools, parks, swimming pools and hotels. The repeal will take effect on July 31. “This is a significant victory for registered citizens and their loved ones,” stated CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “No longer will families in Arcadia be torn apart.” Residency restrictions in the…
Read MoreCA RSOL president Janice Bellucci sworn into the U. S. Supreme Court Bar Association
CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci was sworn into the U. S. Supreme Court Bar Association today. As a member of that association, she is eligible to argue cases before the Court.
Read MoreSenate Committee to Consider AB 2569 [UPDATED with approval]
The Senate Public Safety Committee will consider AB 2569 during its hearing on June 28 which starts at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3191. If enacted into law, the bill would reduce the number of people eligible to apply for exclusion from the Megan’s Law website. The full Assembly passed AB 2569 in May. In order to become law, the bill must be passed by two Senate committees and the full Senate. “If enacted, Assembly Bill 2569 would harm hundreds of registered citizens and their families,” stated CA RSOL president Janice…
Read MoreArcadia City Council Moves Toward Repeal of Residency Restrictions
The Arcadia City Council took the first step toward a total repeal of its residency restrictions during its meeting on June 7. The Council is scheduled to take the next step toward repeal on June 21. If the Council approves the repeal during that meeting, the repeal will take effect after 30 days. The residency restrictions within the City of Arcadia were challenged in a lawsuit filed in federal court in July 2015. The City filed two unsuccessful motions to dismiss the case in September 2015 and January 2016. “This…
Read MoreInternational Megan’s Law (IML) Protest – July 27 in Oakland
Join California RSOL in protesting International Megan’s Law (IML), the law to prevent Registrant international travel, at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, July 27, 2016. The government has filed a motion to dismiss our lawsuit against IML, the recently signed law by President Obama, to keep Registered citizens in permanent internal exile. The court hearing for that motion will be at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom Three of Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton, 3rd Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California, 94612. We need as many of our supporters to fill…
Read MoreAssembly Further Amends, Passes AB 2569
The Assembly further amended, then passed Assembly Bill 2569 which would reduce the number of individuals eligible for an exclusion from their name, photo and other personal information being posted on the CA Megan’s Law website. The bill was amended by the Appropriations Committee on May 27 and would require a “local assistance center for victims and witnesses” to speak to a victim in order to determine if granting the exclusion would be “in the best interest of the victim”. A prior version of the bill required CA Department of…
Read MoreFinal Presence Restrictions Lawsuit Ends in Settlement
The City of Carson has agreed to settle the final presence restrictions lawsuit pending in the state of California. A total of 31 lawsuits were filed starting with the City of Lancaster in December 2012. As a result of these lawsuits, the only presence restriction that remains is a state law that prohibits registrants on parole from visiting public parks without first obtaining permission from a parole officer. “This is a significant victory,” stated CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “The City of Carson has agreed to honor the terms of…
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting in San Diego – June 18
California RSOL’s June meeting will take place in San Diego on June 18. The meeting will start at 10 am at California Western School of Law, Room LH2 at 225 Cedar Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Topics of discussion will include general issues facing registrants and their families as well as pertinent current issues, such as the recent International Megan’s Law lawsuit. The meetings are intended for registrants, friends and family, associated service providers and other supporters. Government and media representatives are not invited to attend. Join us! Show up, Stand up, Speak up!
Read MoreAB 2569 passed by Assembly Public Safety Committee
The Public Safety Committee today passed an amended version of Assembly Bill (AB) 2569. The bill, authored by committee vice chair Melissa Melendez, originally removed an exemption for some registrants convicted of incest from being added to the Megan’s Law website. The amended version of the bill requires the California Department of Justice to interview the victim of the offense and to make a subsequent determination regarding whether information regarding the registrant should be added to that website. California RSOL opposed the original bill as well as the amended bill…
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