A new report from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ) analyzes a November 2020 ballot measure that seeks to roll back key elements of recent justice reforms, including Public Safety Realignment, Prop 47, and Prop 57. As California continues to disproportionately arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate Black, Indigenous, and Latino people, this proposal will particularly harm communities of color. Full Article Report – CJCJ – June 2020
Read MoreCategory: California
CA: CDCR community supervision plan aimed to protect inmates [except PC 290 sex offenders], staff from spread of COVID-19
[bakersfield.com – 6/17/20] The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will implement a community supervision program to eligible inmates in order to further protect staff and inmates at state prisons from the spread of COVID-19. CDCR’s community supervision plan will be for inmates who have 180 days or less to serve on their sentences and aren’t currently serving time for domestic violence or a violent or serious crime. Those required to register as a sex offender under Penal Code 290 won’t be eligible. Read more
Read MoreBallot Proposition Increases Violent Felonies, Requires DNA Collection for Misdemeanors
[ACSOL] A ballot proposition that will appear on the November 2020 ballot in California, if passed, would significantly increase the number of violent felonies as well as require the collection of DNA from individuals convicted of some misdemeanor offenses. The title of the ballot proposition is “Violent Crime, DNA Collection and Parole Initiative.” The proposition has not yet been assigned a number or a letter that will be included on the ballot. “We must work together in order to stop this ballot proposition,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “If…
Read MoreCA: Registration Procedures Vary Greatly at Local Law Enforcement Agencies
[ACSOL] Registration procedures currently vary greatly at local law enforcement agencies in the state of California. While some agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), are remotely registering individuals by telephone, there are other agencies that continue to require individuals to register in person. “It is difficult to understand why local law enforcement agencies continue to require individuals to register in person during a pandemic after issuance of both the Governor’s Executive Order and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bulletin,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. Based upon…
Read MoreCA: California progressive politicians turning away campaign cash from cops
[cbs8.com – 6/9/20] As the wave of protests over incidents of police brutality and racist policing enters its second week, progressive California politicians are rethinking their financial relationship with the unions that represent law enforcement officers. On Thursday, state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, a Democrat, announced on Twitter that he would no longer be accepting campaign contributions from police, sheriff and prison guard unions. He promised to donate roughly $20,000 he has received from such labor groups to date to nonprofits that serve Bay Area youth. Sen. Lena…
Read MoreCA: Vallejo Police Department temporarily modifying its sex offender registration process
[timesheraldonline.com – 6/9/20] The Vallejo Police Department is temporarily modifying its sex offender registration process to include telephonic and appointment-based registrations during the COVID-19 pandemic. New or existing registrant or a registrant required to update his/her status as a sex offender under California penal codes 290 PC and/or 457.1 PC, must update their status by calling the Vallejo Police Department’s telephonic registration line at (707) 917-4124, according to a new release from the police department. “If you are a registrant without telephone access or who has special needs, you will…
Read MoreACSOL Submits Formal Comments Regarding Proposed Tiered Registry Petition Forms [Updated 6/18 with Ellman comments]
[Updated 6/18 with Ira and Tara Ellman comments] The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) has submitted formal comments regarding proposed Tiered Registry petition forms to the Judicial Council of California. The deadline for submitting formal comments regarding the proposed forms is June 9, 2020. “The comments submitted by ACSOL are based, in large part, upon input received from ACSOL members,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. ACSOL provided a total of eight comments in an eight-page letter to the Judicial Council. The letter includes as an enclosure a…
Read MoreFL: Sex offender blames COVID-19 quarantine for not registering
[ocala-news.com – 5/27/20] A convicted sex offender from Ocala says he failed to register in April as required by law because he was in quarantine. Christopher Anthony Votos, 65, of 4064 SW 50th Road, was charged recently with failing to register biannually as a sex offender. Votos was convicted in August 2015 of using a computer to solicit or lure a child to engage in sexual conduct and is required to register twice a year – in April and October. Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show he has registered…
Read MoreCA: Federal Judge Denies TRO Request to Stop In-Person Registration
A federal district court judge denied today a request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that would have immediately stopped in-person registration in Fresno County. The judge accepted statements from the county that the current registration process is “no contact,” socially-distanced, and takes places outdoors. The judge did not allow registrants an opportunity to dispute those statements in a reply brief. Nor did the judge make reference to the Executive Order issued by Governor Gavin Newson on May 8, 2020, encouraging remote registration. “The court’s decision to deny our TRO…
Read MoreSenate Committee Rejects CA Senate Bill 853
[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 MoreCA: 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…
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