BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – Wasco and Taft are among a group of California cities being sued by a civil rights group that advocates on behalf of sex offenders. In 2006, state voters approved Jessica’s Law, which bars sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park. Shortly after, numerous cities adopted much more restrictive local laws that prohibit sex offenders from being present in any “children’s facility,” such as a public library, school bus stop, or “any location that facilitates on their property classes or group activities…
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Study: Middle Schoolers Engaged in Sexting Six Times More Likely to Be Sexually Active
Middle school students who have engaged in “sexting” — sending or receiving sexually suggestive text messages or photos — are dramatically more likely to be sexually active, according to a USC study released today. Full Article
Read MoreRiverside County repealing sex offender rules
RIVERSIDE – Riverside County is considering repealing a law that for four years has restricted the activities of convicted sex offenders such as going within 300 feet of day care facilities, schools, school bus stops, parks, public libraries and other places where children gather. Full Article Riverside County Staff Report
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting in San Diego – September 20
On September 20th the monthly California RSOL meeting will be from 10 am to 1 pm in San Diego. The meeting will take place at California Western School of Law at 225 Cedar Street San Diego, CA 92101, Room LH2. Registrants, family and friends, supporters and professionals are welcome to attend. As always media and government officials are not invited in order to ensure everyone’s privacy. Topics of discussion will include changes in the laws as well as pending litigation and advocacy strategies. Please join us on September 20 in San Diego – Show up, Stand…
Read MoreProposed ‘Audrie’s Law’ ignites new debate over juvenile justice sentences
The California Legislature is working on a proposed sexual assault and cyberbullying law inspired by the case of Saratoga High School student Audrie Pott, who committed suicide in 2012 after she was sexually assaulted at a party and photographs of the assault were distributed to classmates. Full Article
Read MoreSan Jose lawmaker’s teen sex offender measure changes in compromise
A San Jose lawmaker under pressure from juvenile justice advocates has agreed to ease a measure meant to toughen penalties for youths who sexually assault unconscious victims. Sen. Jim Beall on Tuesday will move to eliminate from the legislation termed Audrie’s Law the requirement that some juvenile sex offenders serve at least two years in a juvenile detention facility. Instead, the bill will require that youths who commit any sex crime complete a sexual offender treatment program that juvenile court judges will have broad discretion to tailor to each offender…
Read MoreSex offender ordinance repealed
A city ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from frequenting parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, schools, libraries and other places where children are normally present was repealed at the June 11 Placerville City Council meeting. Full Article
Read MoreCity of Porterville repeals sex offenders ordinance
The city council Tuesday reluctantly repealed a section in the Municipal Code referring to sex offenders and regulating their proximity to children’s facilities. The matter was brought before the council by City Attorney Julia Lew because of recent lawsuits in other cities with the same type of ordinance and because the city has been receiving letters and suggestions of legal action. Full Article
Read MorePositive Appellate Court Decision Halted by CA Supreme Court
The California Supreme Court has granted review of the appellate court decision, People v. Tirey, which increased slightly the number of registered citizens eligible to apply for a certificate of rehabilitation. The appellate court’s decision did not, however, change the criteria for who could be granted a certificate. The appellate court decision was issued in November 15, 2013, and was based upon the equal protection clause of the constitution. Because the Supreme Court has granted review, the holding in the Tirey case cannot be used as precedent until that court…
Read MoreFelons turn to ‘pardon guy’ to verify that they’re rehabilitated
John Garbin hears from people who say they’ll commit suicide if he doesn’t help them. Because of mistakes they made years ago — criminal mistakes — they can’t get a job, move on with their lives, or escape their tarnished reputations, even though they’ve served their time. “The calls we get are from people who are absolutely desperate,” he said. “We do not live in a forgiving society.” Full Article
Read MoreJuvenile rape legislation — ‘Audrie’s Law’ — stirs Capitol debate
SACRAMENTO — When San Jose lawmaker Jim Beall set out earlier this year to strengthen penalties for youths who sexually assault unconscious victims, he expected to win broad support easily. Instead, he ignited a familiar Capitol debate among lawyers, victims and juvenile advocates about whether the justice system’s goal should be punishing or rehabilitating offenders. That debate will be renewed on Tuesday when an Assembly committee will again consider Beall’s bill. Full Article Related: Audrie’s Law goes too far, some legislators insist
Read MoreGov. Jerry Brown’s prison reforms haven’t lived up to his billing
Nearly 15 months after launching what he called the “boldest move in criminal justice in decades,” Gov. Jerry Brown declared victory over a prison crisis that had appalled federal judges and stumped governors for two decades. … Brown’s realignment solution when he took office in 2011 required creating a new category of criminal — the non-serious, non-violent, non-sex-offender felon. Full Article
Read MoreCity repeals ordinance in response to lawsuit by sex offender
The City of Taft has, for all intents and purposes, settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of a registered sex offender Tuesday night when it repealed a seven-year-old ordinance regulating where convicted sex offenders could live and visit. Full Article
Read MorePomona takes steps to repeal part of its sex offender ordinance
POMONA >> Members of the Pomona City Council have taken steps leading to the repeal of part of a 2008 ordinance regulating the presence of sex offenders in the city. Council members gave preliminary approval at their June 16 meeting to an ordinance repealing a portion of the 2008 local regulation and they are expected to have a final vote July 7. Full Article
Read MoreAnaheim repeals sex offender ban at city parks
Anaheim has joined the growing list of cities across Orange County and California that suspended a ban that prevents sex offenders from entering city parks. At the urging of Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, the Anaheim City Council adopted an ordinance nearly two years ago that required registered sex offenders to stay away from parks. Full Article (Paywall)
Read MoreInternal report praises monitoring of sex offenders accused of murder
An internal investigation of the effort to track two high-risk sex offenders now accused of raping and murdering four women praises federal probation officers and puts the ultimate blame for their being unaware of the crimes on “the complex nature of human behavior.” Full Article
Read MoreSanta Ana Repeals Sex Offender Ordinance
The Santa Ana City Council took the final step necessary to repeal its entire sex offender ordinance on June 17. The first step toward repeal took place on June 3. “This is an important victory for all registered citizens,” stated CA RSOL president Janice Bellucci. “More than 105,000 individuals and their families are no longer prohibited from visiting public places including the public library.” “The City of Santa foolishly followed the path of the Orange County District Attorney in its passage of a law that violated both the state and…
Read MorePomona City Council Repeals Ordinance
The Pomona City Council voted 6 to 0 in favor of repealing all residency restrictions within the city’s sex offender ordinance. The vote was taken on June 16 with one member absent. A second vote on this issue is scheduled to be taken on July 7. “The City of Pomona is the first city to be sued in a series of 12 lawsuits challenging residency restrictions,” stated CA RSOL President Janice Bellucci. “We commend Pomona for taking the first step toward repeal of these restrictions which violate both the state and federal…
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