LANSING — A panel of Michigan lawmakers questioned the constitutionality of a bill to allow criminal cases against people accused of molesting children decades ago, despite emotional testimony from alleged victims of a Norton Shores man. House Bill 4231 would retroactively remove all statute of limitations on first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a minor. In 2001, the Michigan Legislature eliminated the statute of limitations on first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which prior to that was six years. Full Article
Read MoreTag: Michigan
MI: Time to rethink sex offender rules (Opinion)
In the 20 years since Michigan decided it would be a good idea to keep tabs on sex offenders with a record of targeting children, the state’s sex offender registry has swelled exponentially. Full Opinion Piece
Read MoreMI: Parts of state’s sex offender law unconstitutional
Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry law is so vague that parts of it are unconstitutional, including the requirement that offenders stay at least 1,000 feet from schools, a federal judge has ruled. Full Article Related Michigan’s unfair sex offender list (Commentary) Sex offenders can be within 1,000 feet of schools after federal judge strikes down parts of law
Read MoreMI: Appeals judges call for change to sex offenders registration law
The state appeals court recently called for state lawmakers to amend the state Sex Offenders Registration Act to show it includes offenders convicted of nonsexual crimes against children. A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals made the statements in a March 26 opinion in which it denied the appeal of ____ _ ____, 48, of Sterling Heights, who along with two co-defendants was convicted in 2012 of 10 crimes related to imprisoning, assaulting and torturing four male juveniles for several hours in retaliation for breaking into his home.…
Read MoreMI: Animal abuse registry would be unfair, ineffective
We still have our doubts about Logan’s Law. It’s not a law yet, just a bill in the Michigan Legislature — again. First proposed in 2012, the law seeks to create an animal abuser registry to mirror the sex-offender registry that Michigan and many other states use to track those convicted of sexual assaults. The animal-abuse registry wouldn’t be a public list, although anyone with $10 could see it. Full Article
Read MoreMI: Mom on mission for a public child abuse registry
… The proposed registry would be searchable by name, similar to the state’s sex offender registry. Specific details of the proposed child abuse registry have yet to be determined. But such a registry would give people another way to check whether someone has been convicted of child abuse, be it a new neighbor, a babysitter, someone who is dating an ex-spouse or someone who is marrying into the family. Full Article
Read MoreMI: Former judge says sex offender registry gives ‘false sense’ of security
Does the sex offender registry really keep you safe? A former West Michigan judge says it’s giving you a false sense of security. Newschannel 3 looked into those claims, taking our search across state lines to see how sex offenders are tracked in other areas. You can search for them by your address or your entire city, finding their home address, and even where they work. But does knowing where a sex offender lives keep your family safe? At least one former judge doesn’t think so. “People have a false…
Read MoreMI: Sex offender fee change is an idea whose time has come (Op-Ed)
Beginning April 1, registered sex offenders in Michigan will be required to pay an annual fee. Last year, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation requiring the state’s more than 40,000 registered sex offenders to come with a $50 per year registration fee. The fee, which is applicable to registered sex offenders who are out of prison is not meant as an additional punishment to those who’ve already paid their societal debt, as much as it is intended to help defray the $600,000 a year cost to the Michigan State Police who…
Read MoreMI: Sex Offender Fee Changes Take Effect Next Month
LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Registered sex offenders in Michigan are required to pay an annual fee starting April 1. Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation in November requiring Michigan’s more than 40,000 registered sex offenders to pay an annual $50 fee. The new fees are intended to cover the $600,000 a year cost to state police to operate the sex offender database. The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Rick Jones replaces the system under which sex offenders paid a one-time $50 fee. The law only applies to registered sex offenders who are out…
Read MoreMI: Legislation would force sex offenders to pay to be on registry [UPDATED]
Legislation passed by the Michigan Senate in Lansing would require registered sex offenders to pay an annual fee to help maintain the state’s sex offender registry. Senate Bill 221’s sponsor, state Sen. Rick Jones, said it is ready for the governor’s signature. “These are people who committed crimes,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “I do not believe that the hardworking taxpayers in Michigan should foot the bill for a registry of crimes they did not commit.” In a news release on Thursday, Jones cited other states such as Indiana, which charges $50 per year…
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