The CA Assembly Appropriations Committee will be hearing the Tiered Registry bill—Senate Bill 421–on August 23. For many reasons, ACSOL is not planning on attending this hearing and we do not recommend you attend either. However, all registrants and supporters should call ALL the Assembly Appropriations Committee members at their Sacramento office. Here is a link to the members and their phone numbers: http://apro.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff The deadline for calling is August 22, the day before the hearing. Tell the staff person that you know the Assembly Member will hear the bill in…
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Was judge in Palo Alto sex case swayed by fear of Brock Turner fallout?
[The Mercury News] PALO ALTO — ____ ____ thought everything was set: he’d struck a deal to serve a year in county jail for having sex with a 15-year-old girl who claimed she was an adult. But when the victim showed up at ____’s sentencing hearing to ask that he be sent to state prison and required to register as a sex offender for life, the case took a surprising turn. In a rare move, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Vincent J. Chiarello pulled the plug on the deal…
Read MoreSex offender housing restrictions: where the law, common sense and politics collide
It seemed simple enough. A law on the city of San Diego’s books to restrict where registered sex offenders can live has provisions deemed unconstitutional by the California Supreme Court. City Attorney Mara Elliott wanted the City Council to repeal the ordinance because San Diego could still be sued with it in place, even though the law hasn’t been enforced for years. But on Aug. 1, a majority of council members balked. It seems nothing is actually simple in politics when it comes to doing anything that could be distorted as going easy on…
Read MoreCA Write-In Action Alert by Sept 1: Guidelines for writing in support of Prop 57 applying to registrants
California’s Proposition 57 is one of the most significant criminal justice reforms in our state’s history. Passed by an overwhelming majority of voters in November 2016, Proposition 57 promises many benefits for Registrants and their families, as well as other incarcerated individuals. However, the benefits of Proposition 57 will not be realized unless the regulations implementing them are consistent with Proposition 57’s purpose and intent. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is the state agency responsible for drafting and implementing the regulations under Proposition 57. CDCR has issued…
Read MoreAuthorities looked at nearly 1,800 homes for this convicted child predator, but none were suitable. He now lives in a motel
A convicted child predator, whose proposed home was destroyed in a suspicious fire, has been released and is living in motels in Fresno County. Liberty, the contractor hired to supervise Snyder 24 hours a day, and the California Department of State Hospitals looked at 1,749 homes in Fresno County as possible residences for him. Full Article
Read MoreSan Diego Sex Offender Residency Law Faces Uphill Legal Battle
[KPBS] An attorney filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday challenging a San Diego law that restricts where registered sex offenders can live. The City Attorney’s Office may now face the difficult task of fighting a legal battle it is not confident it can win. San Diego’s “Child Protection Act,” passed by the City Council in 2008, bars registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of minor-oriented facilities, including arcades, schools, parks and libraries. The law has not been enforced since 2009 because of concerns over its legality.…
Read MoreEmotional Support Group meeting – Aug. 26 in L.A.
ACSOL will conduct an Emotional Support Group for registrants and their loved ones on Saturday, August 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at: ACLU Building 1313 W. 8th Street Los Angeles Free parking is available under the building and there is no charge to attend the meeting.
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: Shame On the San Diego City Council
The San Diego City Council took the wrong action for the wrong reason last week when they failed to repeal the city’s residency restrictions which, if enforced, would prohibit registrants from living in virtually all of that city. The wrong action was taken by five members of the City Council who voted against repeal of the city’s residency restrictions. The reason for their votes is beyond comprehension. In many votes taken by elected officials, the elected officials will vote against an issue because it is unpopular and could adversely affect…
Read MoreRegistrants 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…
Read More2017 ACSOL Conference Videos uploaded
For all those who were not able to attend the inaugural ACSOL Conference – We Are All in This Together – (read the recap) in June 2017, several key note addresses, presentations and work shops are uploaded for remote viewing. You may view them on the Conference web site, or at our YouTube Channel. Thanks to all involved – especially our awesome Video crew!
Read MoreCourt challenge to juvenile sex offender registration laws fails
Juveniles who are convicted of a sex crime in California and are sentenced to state custody can be required to register with police as sex offenders for life, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty and mandatory life sentencing laws cannot be applied to juveniles because of their lesser mental and emotional development. But the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento said the same rationale does not apply to state sex offender registration laws, which are meant to protect the…
Read MoreCity Council keeps sex offender ordinance intact despite attorney recommendation
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The City Council declined to rescind an ordinance Tuesday restricting where registered sex offenders can live in San Diego, which could expose the city to a lawsuit. Full Article City Council Hearing, #51
Read MoreCA Action alert: Join us at CDCR Hearing on Sept 1 on Prop 57 to help our incarcerated brothers
Petition and Complaint Regulations – July 2017 The CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will conduct a hearing on Friday, September 1, during which the public has an opportunity to comment on proposed regulations which attempt to implement Prop. 57. The hearing is scheduled to be held: 9 a.m. to noon 1416 Ninth Street Dept. of Water Resources Building Auditorium Sacramento “The proposed regulations issued by CDCR are unlawful because they prohibit registrants and others from the benefits of Prop. 57,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. Prop.…
Read MoreSex offenders who are homeless are the greater risk (Editorial)
The California Supreme Court made the right call in 2015 when it struck down the most onerous provisions of Proposition 83, known as Jessica’s Law, which prohibited registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a park or school — essentially banning them from finding housing in most cities and suburbs. Full Article
Read MoreSan Diego repealing sex offender laws that haven’t been enforced for years
San Diego is repealing city laws that restrict where paroled sex offenders can live, but the change won’t have any impact because the laws haven’t been enforced since at least 2009. Full Article
Read MoreCalifornia seeks to solutions to homeless sex offender rate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has as many homeless sex offenders now as it did 2½ years ago, when a state Supreme Court ruling that overturned restrictions on where they could live was seen as a way to increase housing options and allow law enforcement to better track them. Full Article
Read MoreCity begins repeal of sex-offender residency rules
SAN MARCOS — The City Council has voted to start the process of repealing its sex-offender residency and loitering restrictions after receiving a letter threatening a lawsuit if it didn’t repeal the rules, which courts have ruled unconstitutional elsewhere. The San Marcos City Council’s July 25 vote for the first reading of the repeal was unanimous. Full Article
Read MoreState Supreme Court ruling sides with Fairfield child molester
FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield child molester’s victory Monday in the California Supreme Court will “further burden our overworked and under-resourced superior courts while adding little to the fair determination of (certain criminal) proceedings,” according to a lower court. Read article
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