South Lake Tahoe City Council reluctantly voted to repeal an ordinance that bans sex offenders from parks and other public areas in the city following decisions by California courts that such laws are unconstitutional. Full Article Also see: FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGES SOUTH LAKE TAHOE ORDINANCE
Read MoreCategory: General News
Of sex trafficking and International Megan’s Law and cabbages and kings
A piece of legislation called International Megan’s Law—HR 4573—passed the U.S. House of Representatives, according to this article, June 20. The bill’s sponsor, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, has been pushing this bill, in various forms, for years. It is aimed at sex trafficking in general and will largely affect American registrants traveling out of the country, but named after Megan Kanka, a seven year old child who was murdered twenty years ago, and touted as “…the model needed for the U.S. to persuade other countries to take action to stop both…
Read MoreInternational Megan’s Law passes House of Representatives
WASHINGTON — The United States House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday aimed at protecting children from roving convicted sexual predators who travel abroad. The International Megan’s Law, H.R. 4573, which was authored by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), establishes a model framework for international law enforcement notifications when convicted child-sex offenders who pose a danger to children arrive in a destination country. Full Article H.R. 4573
Read MoreUS Sex Offender Registration Laws
How to Stay Compliant by Meeting State Registration Requirements Registered citizens must meet registration requirements in the states they visit as well the states in which they reside. State visitor requirements vary widely from 48 hours in Florida to 10 days in Hawaii. These requirements apply regardless of whether the visit is a vacation, business trip or school-related activity. “It is essential for registered citizens to remain compliant when they visit another state,” said CA RSOL President Janice Bellucci. “In order to remain compliant, registered citizens must know the requirements…
Read MoreMore Cities Repealing Bans Against Sex Offenders in Parks
Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Yorba Linda this week join the list of Orange County cities pulling back from local bans on sex offenders in parks in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling that said they didn’t comply with state laws. Full Article
Read MoreJury awards 3.4M to victims of sex offender websites
Victims targeted for harassment on sex-offender websites pleaded with a Maricopa County jury to financially punish the owner and take away his ability to continue operating. Full Article Also see: USA Today
Read MoreNH: Sex Offender Registration (Editorial)
It’s hard to think of a class of people more reviled in America than sex offenders. This is due to both the appalling nature of the offense and the belief that they are at high risk to reoffend. Thus society imposes burdens and disabilities on them that not even murderers or drug dealers are subject to. In a few cases, these include being held beyond the completion of their prison sentences, but much more frequently involve restrictions on where they can live and requirements to register with authorities to be…
Read MoreDear Abby: Register for sex offenders covers a gamut of offenses
DEAR ABBY: As a licensed psychotherapist who has worked with both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse over the past 25 years, I would like to respond to “Stunned in the City” (Jan. 22), who found her co-worker’s name on a website for registered sex offenders. Full Article
Read MoreWho Knew Public Pee-ing Was Such a Blast? (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7JTXrUD2w
Read MoreFinding sex offenders via Facebook app
A new Facebook app helps you find out who your “friends” really are. It scans your list of “friends” and notifies you if any of them are on the national sex offender register. In a world where more friends and more views helps you get your name out there, there’s always the potential for danger. Full Article Related: This app told me my uncle, roommate, and partner are potential sex offenders
Read MoreKids, Cops, and Sex Offenders: Pushing the Limits of the Interest-Convergence Thesis
Abstract: Sex offenders are today’s pariahs – despised by all, embraced by none. During the past twenty years, society’s dislike and fear of sex offenders has resulted in a flood of legislation designed to protect communities from them. These laws include residency restrictions, which bar convicted sex offenders from living near places where children are expected to be found. Given this climate, do lawyers who for sex offenders have any hope of winning justice for their clients? In 2005, the Ohio Justice & Policy Center (“OJPC”) began a three year-advocacy campaign against Ohio’s residency restrictions. At first…
Read MoreGrand Theft O.C. – The Ballad of Tony Rackauckas
I don’t live in Orange County, but I’ve been there. I enjoyed a couple of trips to “The OC” after my mom passed away about 3 1/2 years ago. The beaches are nice and there is a lot to see and do. I even visited a couple of the parks while I was there on 2011. The year 2011 was a landmark year for me, as I had to rebuild my life after losing my mom and my fiancee the year before. Apparently, 2011 was a landmark year for Orange…
Read MoreCourt hammers operator of Internet intimidation sites
A Valley man accused of running an Internet extortion racket was dealt a blow last month when a judge found he posted information on websites suggesting a decorated combat veteran with no criminal record was a child molester. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper imposed several sanctions against Charles “Chuck” Rodrick, saying evidence showed he controlled websites where operators demanded money from sex offenders and harassed those who complained. Full Internet
Read MoreAre police catching pedophiles, or creating straw men?
Then they claim to be 14. Even if the man balks or expresses qualms at this unexpected news, the cops continue to push. They press on with more enticements — photos — making it clear how ready and willing the fictional 14-year-old is. Some try not to take no for an answer. Full Article
Read MoreGeneral Comments May 2014
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of May 2014. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
Read MoreSex offender data threatening home values, tarnishing neighborhoods and frustrating real estate agents
Allan Van Inwegen said he received some unsettling news almost immediately after moving into a home with his wife and two children about 14 years ago. His neighbors told him they were living in a property right next door to a sex offender, “who happened to be 17 with a green mohawk,” said Inwegen, a broker in Denver. But after some digging, he discovered that the offender wasn’t exactly a menace. The 17-year-old had had sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend, and the girl’s father, a preacher, had caught them and…
Read MoreSupreme Court sets aside $3.4-million verdict for child-porn victim
WASHINGTON — Victims of child pornography whose images of sexual abuse have circulated on the Internet may claim damages from every person caught with illegal images, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. But justices rejected the idea that a single person who possesses such images may be assessed the full amount due to the victim, setting aside a $3.4-million verdict against a Texas man in a favor of a woman whose childhood rape was photographed and widely circulated on the Internet. Full Article Also see: http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/04/opinion-analysis-dividing-the-duty-to-pay-for-child-porn/ (Analysis) http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/04/23/67276.htm
Read MorePolice can stop vehicles based on anonymous 911 tips, justices rule
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of police officers to stop cars and question their drivers based on an anonymous tip to a hot line. In a 5-4 decision written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the justices ruled that such stops do not amount to an unreasonable search or seizure, even if the arresting officer did not observe the vehicle speeding or swaying while driving down the highway. Full Article
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