Following a high-profile murder case involving two Orange County parolees, state lawmakers are again considering more time behind bars for sex offenders who tamper with GPS monitoring devices. Offenders currently face a mandatory six months in jail for removing or disabling GPS bracelets. But under a bill introduced this year by state Sen. Pat Bates of Laguna Niguel, they could face up to three years in prison. … Bates called the state’s current penalties for tampering with GPS monitoring devices a “slap on the wrist” and argued that elevating the…
Read MoreCategory: California
State high court passes up chance to go easier on sex offenders
A divided state Supreme Court voted Wednesday to leave intact a ruling requiring lifetime registration for certain non-forcible sex offenders, an issue that split Gov. Jerry Brown’s two most recent appointees. The court had voted 5-2 on Jan. 29 to reinstate a 1947 California law requiring anyone convicted of non-forcible oral copulation with a minor to register with police as a sex offender. Registration, which is also mandatory for violent sex offenders, enters their names and addresses on a publicly available database and prohibits them from living near a school…
Read MoreLegislative Committees to Consider Presence Restriction Bills
Two state legislative committees will soon consider bills that would allow, but not require, cities and counties to adopt “presence restrictions”. On April 28, the Senate Public Safety Committee will consider SB 267 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3191. ***** Please note the change of date for SB 267 ******* “The Senate Governance and Finance Committee approved SB 267 on April 15 and if the bill is also approve by the Senate Public Safety Committee, it will move to the Senate floor for a vote,” stated California RSOL president Janice…
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting June 20 in San Diego
Please join us for our monthly CA RSOL meeting on June 20 in San Diego. It will take place at Cal Western School of Law on Saturday, room LH2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This meeting is open to registrants, friends and family and supporters. Media and government officials are not invited in order to preserve attendee’s privacy. This is a great opportunity to network and learn about CA RSOL’s latest activities as well as news on the legal and legislative front. June 20, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m…
Read MoreJessica’s Law status is uncertain
California Attorney General Kamala Harris is refusing to release an unpublished opinion that is being cited by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for changing sex offender release policies. A recent state Supreme Court ruling that struck down a blanket ban on registered sex offenders living near schools or parks in San Diego County has muddied the issue of residency restrictions for prison officials and civic leaders. In early March, the high court ruled In re Taylor that blanket enforcement of Jessica’s Law’s mandatory distance requirements impeded the constitutional…
Read MoreMore sex offenders in rural areas
The rural communities on the edges of the High Desert have higher percentages of residents who are registered sex offenders when compared to larger cities in the area and to similarly sized communities elsewhere in the state, Megan’s Law website statistics show. Data also show that smaller local communities have larger percentages of sex offenders than the overall average in the state. Full Article
Read MoreCalifornia grapples with where sex offenders can reside
SAN FRANCISCO – California cities and counties are grappling with how far they can go to restrict where sex offenders can live amid a shifting legal landscape. The California Supreme Court last month struck down San Diego’s blanket enforcement of a state law banning registered sex offenders from living near schools or parks. The Supreme Court said sex offenders can still be banned from living near parks and schools, but such a determination must be made on a case-by-case basis. Full Article
Read MoreCounty unaffected by sex offender ruling
Lake County >> Even though the county has the highest number of sex offenders when compared to its neighbors, the recent loosening of housing restrictions will not cause any notable change in Lake County. “The supreme court’s decision doesn’t affect us,” Lake County Chief Probation Officer Rob Howe said. “With the current supervised population, there is no affect in Lake County, not to say that it couldn’t in the future.” California voters passed Jessica’s Law in 2006 with the intention of protecting children from predators; however, there is no data…
Read MoreBoard Repeals Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to nullify an ordinance prohibiting convicted sex offenders from living in close proximity to schools and parks. On a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor John Tavaglione absent, the board followed a recommendation from Riverside County Counsel Greg Priamos that Ordinance 902 be invalidated effective May 7. Priamos proposed the repeal based on a California Supreme Court finding that residency restrictions were no longer enforceable, except in narrowly defined circumstances. Full Article
Read MoreSharon Runner Demands Transparency from Corrections Department
SACRAMENTO – Senator Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) has called upon the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide insight into its decision to terminate enforcement of the uniform sex offender residency restrictions under Jessica’s Law. “I was alarmed by CDCR’s sweeping decision to stop enforcing the people’s will as expressed in Jessica’s Law,” said Runner. “The residency restrictions in Jessica’s Law provide important peace of mind for California’s families.” Full Article
Read MoreLet local governments set safety zones for children: Guest commentary
California’s sex offender laws are blanket policies that may not properly capture all of the nuances needed in various communities. While the state has laws that restrict where sex offenders can live, it is clear that communities know best where local children are most vulnerable and it is critical that local authorities have the necessary tools to protect them. Jessica’s Law already prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks, but it does not restrict them from spending time in parks, community centers or other…
Read MoreBEAUMONT: Council to weigh sex offender residency restrictions [UPDATED]
The Beaumont City Council may repeal local sex offender residency restrictions when it meets on Tuesday, April 7. The state Supreme Court has ruled such regulations are unconstitutional. Full Article April 9: BEAUMONT: City set to repeal sex offender residency restrictions (First Reading) City Council Hearing / at 71:20 (with reference to Presence lawsuits)
Read MoreCalifornia’s Sane New Approach to Sex Offenders
And why no other state is following its example. – Last week, California officials announced that the state would allow some sex offenders to live within 2,000 feet of schools and parks for the first time since 2006, making it easier for them to find housing. High-risk sex offenders and those whose crimes involved children under the age of 14 will still be subject to the residency restrictions, which were introduced as part of a voter-initiative known as as Jessica’s Law—but all others will be granted exemptions on a case-by-case…
Read MoreChanges to law impacts where sex offenders can live
REDDING, Calif. – Under Jessica’s Law, a voter-approved mandate passed in 2008, registered sex offenders are not allowed to live within 2,000 feet of schools or parks where children are. Last week, California officials announced significant changes to the law including changes to where registered sex offenders can live. Full Article
Read MoreSupreme Court was correct to throw out Jessica’s Law (Editorial)
How do you feel about zero tolerance? It’s often a simple way to deal with matters when we don’t want to be bothered, but it can cause all sorts of problems. Some of our laws are written in much the same way – like Jessica’s Law, the 2006 ballot initiative targeted at sex offenders that passed with 70 percent of the vote. Finally, California officials have done something about it. Full Editorial
Read MoreSex-offender laws: Heed the evidence
Should California have laws covering sex offenders that actually increase the chance of new sex crimes? Of course not. That’s why we welcome the recent decision by the state Supreme Court to reduce some of the travel restrictions imposed on sex offenders and last week’s follow-up announcement by the state that it will exclude less-threatening sex criminals from the ban on living within 2,000 feet of a school or park. Editorial – UT San Diego
Read MoreState laws on sex offenders should not be crafted by emotion (Editorial) UPDATED
UPDATED with Reader’s Reactions California’s Supreme Court was right to drop Jessica’s Law, @latimes editorial board says. Jessica’s Law — California’s version of it, anyway — was a mess from the beginning. Voters here adopted it (as Proposition 83) in 2006 because they mistakenly believed they were cracking down on horrific crimes against children. They were urged on by nightly harangues from national TV commentators who campaigned on-air for swift action following the rape and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford in Florida, a crime that touched an especially sensitive nerve…
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: A Step in the Right Direction
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), not know as an ally of registered citizens, took an important step in the right direction on March 26 by declaring that they will apply the recent Taylor decision statewide. In the Taylor decision, the California Supreme Court ruled it is unconstitutional for CDCR to levy residency restrictions against all registered citizens on parole as a blanket condition. Also in that decision, the Court provided CDCR with discretion to levy residency restrictions on a case-by-case basis. CDCR’s decision to apply the Court’s…
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