The Cypress City Council unanimously adopted a punitive ordinance that would deny the civil rights of registered citizens despite a recommendation from the City Attorney to delay further consideration in order to conduct further research. The City Attorney’s recommendation was consistent with a request from California RSOL that was submitted in writing as well as addressed during the City Council meeting on March 12. In its letter and oral testimony, California RSOL questioned the constitutionality of the proposed ordinance as it pertains to residency restrictions, park bans, hotel stays and…
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California RSOL Opposes Punitive Ordinance Proposed by City in Orange County
California RSOL will publicly oppose an ordinance proposed by the City of Cypress that would prohibit all registrants from (1) living with 2,000 feet of a school, park or day care center, (2) being in close proximity of a child safety zone, (3) staying in a hotel that already has a registrant guest, and (4) celebrating Halloween. The Cypress City Council will consider the ordinance on March 12. “This is the most comprehensive and the most damaging ordinance yet considered by a city,” stated state organizer Janice Bellucci. “The ordinance…
Read MoreASSEMBLY DEFEATS AB 625
The Assembly has just voted on AB 625 and defeated it by 41 to 19. It’s hard to believe that elected officials don’t understand the current challenges faced by the state’s 92,000+ registrants such as unemployment, homelessness and vigilante violence. These challenges are of course experienced by family members as well. California RSOL attempted to educate them by lobbying efforts in October, November, December and January. Many thanks to Frank and Marshall who lobbied with me during the first months and with 8 others who joined us in January. And…
Read MoreAB 625 AMENDED BY ASSEMBLY
AB 625 was amended by the Assembly during its deliberations on Thursday, January 26. The amendment, proposed by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, would create a fourth tier of individuals that would only be required to notify law enforcement officials when they moved. The amendment was proposed in order to attract additional votes for the bill. The amendment passed 32 to 16 after being opposed by Assemblyman Hagman of Orange County. A vote on the amended bill is scheduled for Monday, January 30.
Read MoreVOTE ON AB 625 DELAYED
Voting on Assembly Bill (AB) 625 was delayed due to the absence of several supporters of the bill, according to staffers in the office of Assemblyman Ammiano. The bill is expected to be voted upon either Thursday, January 26, or Monday, January 30. The delay provides an opportunity to provide further input into the office of Assembly members. Please call the office of the Assembly person who represents you. A list of Assembly members, including phone numbers, can be found online at www.assembly.ca.gov.
Read MoreBOARD RECOMMENDS CHANGES TO RESIDENCY LIMITS
The California Sex Offender Management Board recently issued a report that questioned the effectiveness of residency restrictions. The report noted an extremely low recidivism rate for sex offenders (3.25 percent for parolees and 5 percent for those who completed parole) and concluded that most sex offenses are committed by individuals who are not on the state’s registry. The report also noted an increase of more than 100 percent in the homelessness of registered individuals. This increases rather than decreases the safety of communities, according to the Board. The full report,…
Read MoreCA SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE PEOPLE vs MOSLEY
The California Supreme Court is expected to consider soon the important case of People v. Mosley. That case focuses upon whether the imposition of a lifetime sex offender registration, which includes residency restrictions that prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of any public or private school or park where children regularly gather increase the penalty for the original offense for which the registrant was convicted. The opening brief on the merits of this case was filed on April 11, 2011, and the reply brief was filed on…
Read MoreLaguna Hills Adopts Law Banning Sex Offenders Like Councilman’s Son-in-Law From Parks
12-15-2011 California: Laguna Hills City Councilman Joel Lautenschleger, who’d previously appeared on the fence about a ban on sex offenders in local parks, joined his council colleagues in unanimously approving the second reading of such an ordinance Tuesday night. The ban, which is modeled after the county’s, goes into effect in 30 days. The city ordinance creates a “Child Safety Zone” that prevents registered sex offenders from gathering in city parks unless they first receive permission from the sheriff’s department, which patrols Laguna Hills. The law also mandates signs in…
Read MoreREGISTERED CITIZEN BRUTALLY SLAIN IN ORANGE COUNTY
Editor’s Note: Bobby Ray Rainwater, a registered citizen, was brutally murdered on December 1 in the mobile home park in which he resided. According to the article below, police do not yet know the motive for the murder. Is this another case of vigilante violence? Slaying Victim ‘Nearly Decapitated’ Arraignment postponed for accused killer. Meanwhile, new details emerge in last week’s mobile-home park killing. ByPenny Arévalo December 5, 2011 The knife-wielding neighbor accused of killing Bobby Ray Rainwater won’t enter a plea until Jan. 6. At the request of Robert…
Read MoreFILE FOR REFLIEF FROM RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS
Friday, November 18, 2011 Habeas Corpus Forms for CA’s RSOs Residential Restrictions http://www.prisonlaw.com/pdfs/ModelHabeasFull,Dec10.pdf Above is a link to The Prison Law Office’s forms to file a Habeas Corpus Petition asking local CA courts to stay CA’s RSOs on Parole.
Read MoreHALLOWEEN NOT FOR REGISTRANTS
The County of Riverside unanimously passed an ordinance on October 18 that prohibits anyone listed on the registry from celebrating Halloween in their own home! This is a violation of registrants’ constitutional rights, including but not limited to, the First Amendment. Riverside County specifically prohibits registrants from (1) decorating the dwelling in which he/she lives, (2) leaving on any exterior decorative and ornamental lighting and (3) answering the door to children who are trick-or-treating. Riverside County passed this ordinance under an emergency provision which allows the ordinance to take effect…
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