[ACSOL] The Senate Public Safety Committee today stopped Senate Bill 853, which if passed, would have significantly increased the duration of criminal protective orders up to an individual’s lifetime. The Senators voted after hearing from more than 40 people opposed to the bill, including representatives of the ACLU, California Public Defenders and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. By comparison, only 8 people spoke in favor of the bill. “ACSOL and its members are to be commended for stopping a bill that would have violated the rights of registrants and…
Read MoreCategory: California
CA: Reports of online child sex abuse surge amid pandemic
[latimes.com – 5/22/20] Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and across the country have been overwhelmed in recent months by a surge in tips about online child sex abuse, with social media platforms and other service providers flagging explicit content and suspicious interactions at an alarming rate. With schools closed, youth activities canceled and kids spending more time online under stay-at-home orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, sexual predators have ramped up their efforts to solicit pictures and videos, officials say. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a…
Read MoreCA: Public Defender seeks removal of OC DA from sex offender parole violation cases
The Orange County Public Defender’s Office is seeking to have the Orange County District Attorney’s Office removed from prosecuting five sex offenders accused of violating parole after they were released early from local lockup. Full Article Related CA: 7 Sex Offenders Released Early Due to COVID-19 in Orange County Despite Parole Violations https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/05/12/six-sex-offenders-whose-early-release-was-criticized-by-orange-county-da-are-arrested-again/
Read MoreAction Alert: CA Legislation Would Significantly Increase Duration of Protective Orders [UPDATED 5/26]
[UPDATED 5/26 WITH NEW CALL-IN NUMBER FOR THE HEARING ON 5/27] [UPDATED 5/22 WITH LOCAL SENATOR OFFICE PHONE NUMBERS] The California Senate Public Safety Committee has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, May 27 at 9:00 AM during which Senate Bill 853 (SB 853) will be considered. If the bill is passed, the duration of Protective Orders issued in cases involving sex offenses and other crimes would be significantly increased from a maximum of 10 years to life, depending upon the conviction for which a person is required to register. This…
Read MoreCA: Hollister PD to continue registering sex offenders in person
[sanbenito.com – 5/19/20] The Hollister Police Department will continue to register local sex offenders in person—with social distancing protocols in place—despite an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing law enforcement to conduct such registration remotely. “The Hollister Police Department is aware of the seriousness and the need to monitor convicted sex offenders in our community,” reads a May 18 press release from Hollister Police. “The department has a barrier in place at our front lobby that protects our staff. Our personnel are also trained to use masks, gloves and…
Read MoreCA: Riverside County to Begin Remote Registration
[ACSOL] The Riverside County Sheriff has issued instructions in which he told the county’s Station Commanders to “develop and immediately implement procedures allowing registrants to complete their registration remotely, telephonically or in ways that allow for social distancing.” The instructions were issued on May 11 and are meant to implement the Executive Order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 8. According to the Sheriff’s instructions, Station Commanders may also “choose to accomplish registration and fingerprinting by offering in-person registration outside the station facility, or in-home registration (utilizing sworn deputies…
Read MoreComments Sought for Draft California Tiered Registry Forms
[ACSOL] The Criminal Law Advisory Committee of the the Judicial Council of California has prepared and released four draft forms to be used when the petitioning process of the Tiered Registry Law becomes effective in July 2021. Comments regarding the draft forms is due to the Committee no later than June 9, 2020. The four draft forms include: Petition to Terminate Sex Offender Registration (CR-415), Acknowledgment of Receipt by Law Enforcement/District Attorney (CR-416), Response by District Attorney to Petition (CR-417) and Order on Petition (CR-418). In addition, the Council has…
Read MoreCity of Oakland Agrees to Provide Remote Registration
[ACSOL] The City of Oakland has agreed to remotely register individuals as encouraged by Gov. Gavin Newsom in Executive Order N-63-20 which was issued on May 8. Those seeking remote registration should call (510) 238-2189 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The City of Oakland is also willing to accommodate any individual who would prefer to register in person. In order to register in person, an individual must set up an appointment in advance by calling the sex offender registration unit at (510) 238-2189 Monday through Friday…
Read MoreCA: DOJ Executive Order N-63-20 Regarding Sex Offender Registration
[ACSOL] The California Department of Justice has issued an Information Bulletin directing law enforcement agencies how to remotely register individuals convicted of a sex offense. The information in the bulletin is being issued to provide guidance regarding implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order issued on May 8. According to the Information Bulletin, law enforcement officials are to confirm all data fields on the registration forms. They are then to sign the registration form noting that the form was “completed on behalf of and with consent of” the registrant. The Information…
Read MoreCA: Oakland police suspend sex offender registrations during COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the threat from the coronavirus, the Oakland Police Department has closed its registry unit where many of the city’s sex offenders are required to check in every month, officials said. Now, the city of Oakland has no up-to-date addresses or other important information on hundreds of offenders – particularly transient sex offenders – raising concerns from victims’ advocates and offenders who are trying to register alike. “We’ve put a whole population at risk and I find that very, very concerning,” said Nina Salarno-Besselman, an attorney with Crime Victims…
Read MoreCA: Governor’s New Executive Order Encourages Remote Registration
[ACSOL] California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a new Executive Order that encourages law enforcement agencies “to adopt telephonic, remote, or other procedures for registration” for a period of 60 days. The Order also encourages law enforcement agencies to “post or publicize” any new registration procedures it adopts “through means calculated to reach any person subject to the (Sex Offender Registration) Act.” “Governor Newsom has demonstrated both leadership and compassion by issuing an order that encourages law enforcement agencies to stop in-person registration for 60 days,” stated ACSOL Executive Director…
Read MoreCA: Sexual assault suspect released from Santa Rita jail due to COVID-19
[kron4.com – 5/5/20] An emergency order to release non-violent inmates from jail due to COVID-19, appears to have been used to release a violent sexual assault suspect, according to an East Bay city official. The council that wrote the order says that was not the intention. “When the bail motion was made we strenuously objected to it,” Alameda County District Attorney spokesperson Teresa Drenick said. “The attorney specifically petitioned Judge Reardon to reduce his bail,” Livermore Mayor John Marchand said. There is controversy regarding the an Alameda County Superior Court…
Read MoreCA: ACSOL Sues Fresno Cops For Forcing Sex Offenders To Appear Amid COVID-19
[law360.com – 5/3/20] Authorities in Fresno, California, are inflicting “cruel and unusual punishment” on registered sex offenders and violating the U.S. Constitution by requiring the individuals to appear in person for registration updates during the coronavirus pandemic, three offenders contend. In an April 28 complaint filed in the Eastern District of California, those John Doe plaintiffs say the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are running afoul of the Eighth and 14th Amendments and the California Sex Offender Registration Act by requiring convicted sex offenders to physically…
Read MoreVolunteers needed for study: Parents or adult children of someone incarcerated
[Channel Islands California State University] [Approved by Janice] Are you the parent or the adult child of someone incarcerated? Do you experience stigma because of it? How does the experience affect your quality of life? What helps you cope? Researchers at California State University Channel Islands are seeking parents and adult children of the incarcerated to participate in a research study. The study consists of questions taking 30-40 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered to receive a $20 VISA gift card. To find out more about the study…
Read MoreCA: 7 Sex Offenders Released Early Due to COVID-19 in Orange County Despite Parole Violations
[nbclosangeles.com – 4/30/20] Seven sex offenders who violated parole were released from jail early as part of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reducing its inmate population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sex offenders were released months before schedule, despite being charged with violating their parole by cutting off their GPS monitors and tampering with their tracking devices, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Public Information Officer Kimberly Edds. California law requires sex offenders who violate their parole in this way to serve six months in jail, but many of…
Read MoreACSOL Challenges In-Person Registration in Federal District Court
[ACSOL] The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) filed a lawsuit today in a federal district court challenging in-person registration requirements of both the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California. According to the lawsuit, the city and county’s requirement to register in person violates the due process clause of the 14th Amendment as well as the 8th Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. The lawsuit requests that the court permanently enjoin the city…
Read MoreCA: Los Angeles Superior Court Allows In-Person Registration to Continue
[ACSOL] A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled today that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department may continue to require in-person registration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling was made during a telephonic hearing in response to ACOL’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order. Although the judge noted that infection to COVID-19 is a “significant concern”, she interpreted state law requirements to obtain fingerprints and photos as to require that all registrants, including those at high risk due to age and/or medical condition, must register in person. She did not address…
Read MoreACSOL Files TRO Application in Los Angeles Superior Court
The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) has filed an application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in Los Angeles Superior Court. If granted, the TRO would require both the Attorney General and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to temporarily stop in-person registration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TRO application, filed yesterday, requests a hearing or a decision without a hearing on April 14. “In-person registration continues to threaten the lives of registrants, their families, law enforcement and the public because it increases the risk of infection from COVID-19,” stated…
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