The Indiana Court of Appeals agreed with a man challenging his lifetime registration as a sex offender that the law as applied to him violates the Indiana Constitution’s prohibition against ex post facto laws. But he lost a similar challenge to the unlawful-entry statute that prohibits him from entering school property. Full Article
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SD: Letter – Celebrating freedom in the ‘Land of the Free’
As we prepare to stand watching and enjoying “the freedom parade,” with our children and grandchildren, we must think about the many families who are not allowed that privilege as a family. This single group of American citizens have been “labeled” sex offenders and are banished from public events where children are present, even if it means their own children will have to attend “without them.” How do we explain to those children that “our freedom” excludes their loved ones from attending “family” functions because of a poor choice they…
Read MoreIL: Little-known registry lists murderers in your town, but is it a good thing?
… But a few strategic keystrokes will lead anyone with internet access to information about _____’s murder conviction, his current address and a recent photo. His is among more than 3,600 names on the Illinois State Police Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry, a tool established in 2012 by state lawmakers at the urging of families of victims. … “I’ve had comments on that already, where people think you’re a sex offender,” _____ said. “I’m not a registered sex offender.” But because of the similarity between the two registries,…
Read MoreNV: Ruling Allows Nevada Sex Offender Registration Requirements to take Effect [UPDATED with NV Supreme Court action]
An emergency writ was filed with the Nevada Supreme Court late Thursday in a last-gasp effort to block a new sex offender registry law from taking effect Friday. Full Article Update July 1, 11 am NEVADA SUPREME COURT STOPS SEX OFFENDER LAW FROM BEING IMPLEMENTED CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court Friday put the brakes on a law that would impose new registration requirements on sex offenders and subject thousands of them to community notification. Full Article
Read MoreNY: Sex Offenders Sue City, State
____ ____ needed to satisfy his crack habit. So he grabbed a sawed-off shotgun and robbed two women in the elevators of Brooklyn apartment buildings. During one of the 1985 holdups, he reached into a woman’s bra looking for cash, he said. Last June, Mr. Griffin was paroled after serving nearly 30 years in prison for robbery, grand larceny and sexual abuse. He wanted to move back home, to New York City. “I have brothers and sisters that have apartments, and nieces and nephews in Brownsville,” said Mr. Griffin, now 52…
Read MoreAZ: Sex offenders might be released by appeals court ruling
Over 500 accused sex offenders could be released due to a ruling by the Arizona Appeals Court. This is a move that has shaken up the state’s prosecutor’s offices. The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled a state law passed in 2002 which automatically denies bail for accused sex offenders while the await trial is illegal. “Right now, we have a pending public safety disaster. There is a potential.. over 500 sex offenders who could be released,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Full Article
Read MoreNV: Amended lawsuit challenges Nevada law governing registration of sex offenders (UPDATED)
CARSON CITY — An amended lawsuit has been filed challenging a 2007 Nevada law governing registration and community notification of sex offenders and seeking to block its implementation next month. The lawsuit filed late Tuesday in Clark County District Court on behalf of unnamed plaintiffs identified as Does 1-17, argues Assembly Bill 579 is vague and overbroad in its application, and that the state is applying the law unequally and has no procedures for people to challenge their inclusion on the registry. Full Article Update 6/28 LAST-MINUTE HEARING CALLED TO…
Read MoreAR: School Checking Home School Residents Against Sex Offender List
For the first time any home in the Booneville School District where children are being home schooled is undergoing a check to verify no sex offenders live in the home. Though the Arkansas civil code 6-15-508, homeschooling is prohibited in a home where a sex offender lives. As a result Booneville Schools student resource officer Norman Wilder is using the legally required forms turned in at the administration building to check to see if any of the residents are registered sex offenders. Full Article
Read MoreVA: Virginia pulls 132 confined sex offenders from list of eligible voters
RICHMOND — State officials abruptly removed 132 sex offenders from Virginia’s list of eligible voters last week, reacting to the latest problem emerging from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s sweeping move to restore voting rights to felons who had served out their sentences. Full Article
Read MoreWA: 17-year-old harasser is convicted of distributing child porn of himself
… E.G. was therefore charged for making the harassing calls and for “dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit activity” — essentially for distributing child porn of himself. Full Article Opinion
Read MoreCT: Connecticut Is Rethinking Its Policies Toward Jobs and Housing for Sex Offenders
Before she started work at New Haven’s Columbus House as senior manager of housing services, Cathleen Meaden’s job was housing people whose crimes were seemingly unforgivable. Her charges were people on the state’s sex offender registry, and when she’d talk to people about her job, the reaction was often not-very-hidden disgust that she worked in close proximity with people who’d committed such heinous crimes. Full Article
Read MoreMI: Mom wants sex offender boyfriend to spend time with kids
An unusual court battle is playing out in Macomb County. A woman is fighting to allow her boyfriend to see her children but the issue is that the mom’s boyfriend is a register sex offender. Now the woman wants the judge to reverse the agreement she made to bar him from having contact with the children. Full Article
Read MoreFL: Broward sheriff’s deputy arrested for child porn charges kills self
FORT LAUDERDALE — A Broward County Sheriff’s deputy who was arrested on more than two dozen child porn charges died Wednesday night after shooting himself, according to the sheriff’s office. Full Article
Read MoreNC: Newton wants to restore sex offender rules
After a federal judge struck down part of North Carolina’s law restricting the activities of registered sex offenders, Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, on Thursday rolled out a new version of the law he said would address the judge’s concerns. Full Article
Read MoreNY: Senate passes “terrorist registry” bill
The State of NY may soon have a “terrorist registry” much like the sex offender registry. Their Senate, yesterday, passed legislation that would create a list of people convicted of terrorism and post their information publicly, so that the community and law enforcement can be aware of “somebody in their community that has been convicted of terrorism who still may be a threat to the safety and security of Americans” Full Article
Read MoreNY: Sex Offender Registration – Driven by Fear or Real Risk?
____ ____, 59, doesn’t deny that he committed a low-level sex offense when he was addicted to drugs in 1987. Yet when he pled guilty in 1991 in connection with an acrimonious divorce proceeding, he said he never envisioned the charge would brand him for almost 30 years. Full Article
Read MoreAZ: State can’t deny bail to accused sex offender, appeals court rules
State laws denying bail to accused sex offenders are unconstitutional, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. In a split opinion, the majority said it may very well be appropriate to keep individuals who are charged with having sexual contact with minors behind bars until trial. Full Article
Read MoreAZ: Missing man found murdered in Phoenix was registered sex offender
PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) – A man was found murdered Tuesday morning after being reported missing the night before, Phoenix police said. Full Article
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