Sex offender sues Long Beach for right to live near schools, parks, day care centers

A San Luis Obispo County man is suing the city of Long Beach over restrictions that he says make it impossible to move to or even visit the area. Frank Lindsay says in legal papers that a 2008 ordinance prevents him and other registered sex offenders from living, either temporarily or permanently, in much of the city. Full Article

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Judge: Man wrongly convicted is eligible for compensation

RED BLUFF, California – A Tehama County judge ruled Tuesday morning that a 48-year-old Red Bluff man deserves to be paid for the 15 years he spent in prison after being wrongfully convicted. Tehama County Superior Court Judge Matthew McGlynn said that ____ ____ was “factually innocent” of the child molestation charges that landed him a 24-year prison sentence and is thereby entitled to monetary compensation. ____  will “automatically” receive more than $750,500 – about $140 for each day he was imprisoned — in light of McGlynn’s ruling, his attorney…

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Even after release, California convicts contend with digital trail

Visitors to the 1998 California state fair were treated to demonstrations of a novel criminal justice tool: a computer that allowed them to look up information about registered sex offenders. Nearly two decades later, the novelty has vanished. A few clicks on a personal computer summon the name, address and record of sex offenders filed in the state’s Megan’s Law database. Every state in the nation now maintains a database of registered sex offenders. Full Article Related REGISTRANTS SUE CA DEPT OF JUSTICE — DEMAND IMPROVEMENTS TO, OR END OF,…

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Registered Citizen Challenges Long Beach Residency Restrictions

A sex offender (“registrant”) wishing to relocate to the City of Long Beach where he conducts business filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging sex offender residency restrictions. An ordinance adopted by the City Council of Long Beach prohibits most registrants from living within 2,000 feet of a child day care center, park, or school. The lawsuit will be served tomorrow on the City of Long Beach. CA Reform Sex Offender Laws President and attorney Janice Bellucci filed the lawsuit today on behalf of plaintiff Frank Lindsay. “Long Beach’s residency…

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Sex offender kicked out of Vallejo motel after outcry

A violent sex offender released from a psychiatric hospital last month and forced to live as a transient was kicked out of a motel in Vallejo this week amid public outcry, including critical statements from local police and city officials. _____ _____ ____, 51, who committed five sexual assaults over 15 years, was evicted Wednesday from the Motel 6 on Enterprise Street after police and residents discovered he had been secretly placed there, Vallejo officials said Thursday. “It appears that Motel 6 did not know that they had rented a…

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Educating Attorneys That they CAN WIN – Las Vegas, NACDL, November 19-20, 2015

RSOL is excited to announce that Janice Bellucci will lead our exhibit at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Sex Crimes Training Seminar in Las Vegas. This exhibit is a fantastic opportunity for RSOL to network with and appeal to attorneys to join with us because the NACDL is the premier national organization of defense lawyers. We often hear that RSOL should clone Ms. Bellucci so that we can file challenges across the country. We agree, and believe that she is the best person to represent us at…

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Court Expands Eligibility for Certificates of Rehabilitation [with CORRECTION]

CORRECTION: The information in the article below is based upon a court document from 2014 that was mistakenly identified as a 2015 appellate court decision. Regrettably, this year’s decision did not expand eligibility, but instead eliminated eligibility for many individuals to apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation. A California Court of Appeal issued a decision this week that expands eligibility for registrants to apply for a certificate of rehabilitation. The decision, People v. Tirey, states that a registrant who was convicted of PC 288(a) and who completed parole 13 years…

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REGISTRANTS SUE CA DEPT OF JUSTICE — DEMAND IMPROVEMENTS TO, OR END OF, MEGAN’S LAW WEBSITE [updated with media]

California Reform Sex Offender Laws (CA RSOL) and two registrants today will file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting immediate changes to, or in the alternative, the ending of, the state’s Megan’s Law website. The request is based upon the failure of the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) to comply with a state law that required the agency to add conviction and release dates to individuals’ profiles on that website by 2010. “The California Department of Justice continues to act illegally and in violation of state law,”…

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San Diego city schools ranked by sex offenders living nearby

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – Jessica’s Law was supposed to keep sex offenders away from schools but earlier this year the California Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional. CBS News 8 crunched the numbers and found out which San Diego schools have the most sex offenders living nearby. Sex offenders live in neighborhoods all over San Diego and parents have every right to be worried. Full Article Full List http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/kfmb/misc/ElementarySchools.pdf

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California lawmaker would end statute of limitations for rape cases

State Sen. Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) said Monday that she will introduce legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations for rape and some other sexual crimes to increase the chance that victims will get justice. California law generally limits the prosecution of a felony sexual offense to 10 years after the offense is committed, but more time can be provided if new DNA evidence is found. Leyva said a bill she will introduce when the Legislature reconvenes in January would eliminate the deadline for prosecuting crimes including rape, sodomy,…

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L.A. County moves closer to publicly shaming those who solicit sex from minors

Los Angeles County supervisors have moved one step closer toward publicly shaming individuals convicted of soliciting sex from minors. Interim County Counsel Mary Wickham told the supervisors that she expects to bring a draft ordinance before the board next week that will enable the county to post the names and booking photographs on the county’s website of individuals who have been convicted of soliciting sex from minors. Supervisor Don Knabe requested the ordinance late last year saying he wanted to begin a “shame campaign” to lessen the demand for child…

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CDCR Withdraws Halloween Sign Requirement Statewide

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today announced in federal district court its decision to withdraw a statewide requirement that sex offender parolees post a sign on the front door of their residences on Halloween. Immediately following that announcement, CA RSOL withdrew its request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). “This is a significant victory for more than 10,000 registered citizens and their families,” stated CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “They are no longer faced with the risk of significant injury.” CA RSOL and plaintiff John Doe were…

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British court blocks extradition of sex-abuse suspect, saying California law violates human rights

A British high court has refused to extradite a former Orange County choir director who fled the U.S. before he was to stand trial on sexual abuse charges, ruling that a California involuntary commitment law would violate his human rights. Full Article Related England Refuses to Extradite an Alleged Sex Offender (slate.com) with High Court decision More time over US ‘fugitive’ Roger Giese extradition case (BBC)

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