Kat’s Blog: “THAT” Can Happen To You
We’ve all sometimes wondered, how did THAT happen? How did I or my family member or my friend become tangled … Continue reading →
Pennsylvania News Series Exposes Sex Offender Registry as a Sham
Lee Enterprises honored Sentinel reporter Joshua Vaughn Tuesday with a 2016 President’s Award for Excellence in News. Vaughn received the … Continue reading →
Who is a Sex Offender?
Names in quotation marks are pseudonyms; names with none are used with permission or are publicly known figures. By Sandy … Continue reading →
MI: ACLU Michigan Attorney Advocates End of Registry; Provides Update on 6th Circuit Decision
In a recent NPR interview, ACLU Michigan attorney Miriam Aukerman stated she believes that sex offender registries should be abolished. … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Child Pornography Laws Should Protect, Not Prosecute Children
The highest state court in Maryland ruled yesterday that a teenage girl could be prosecuted for distributing “child pornography” because … Continue reading →
Op-Ed: Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide was part of a much bigger crisis in U.S. jails and prisons
[latimes.com – 8/19/19]The New York City medical examiner’s ruling that sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in jail has prompted … Continue reading →
A case against civil commitment
By NARSOL . . . In view of recent developments in the case of Galen Baughman in Virginia, NARSOL restates … Continue reading →
VA: In Arlington, a judge must decide if a nonviolent sex offender should stay incarcerated after serving his sentence
[washingtonpost.com – 8/23/19] Philip Fornaci is a civil rights lawyer based in Washington. Roger Lancaster is the author of “Sex … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Shaming Accomplishes Nothing
In the past month we’ve read articles about shame, Florida Shaming/Could Your Real Estate Agent be a Sex Offender, Nigeria: … Continue reading →
NARSOL in Action: How Removal Petitions Are Done and Halloween Update
Be sure to join NARSOL on Monday, August 26, beginning at 7:00 p.m. eastern time for NARSOL In Action. During … Continue reading →
The Jeffrey Epstein case and why language matters
A statement from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers The country has understandably been shocked and appalled by … Continue reading →
Study Participation Request
Dear Sir or Madam, My name is Melissa Grady and I a faculty member at the Catholic University of America’s … Continue reading →
Epstein might not have been killed, but sex offenders’ prison deaths often are ‘choreographed’
[miamiherald.com – 8/12/19] Many people aren’t buying the official “suicide” story from the Manhattan Correctional Complex that housed financier and … Continue reading →
Australia: Sex Offender Registries: Are they keeping our children safe?
[psychologytoday.com/au – 8/9/19]Sex offender registries have been in the news lately as media outlets have been questioning why billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was … Continue reading →
How Social Media Shapes Our Identity
This articles speaks more to the permanency of images and identities that Social Media has created for children and adults … Continue reading →
US Mass Incarceration Damages Health and Shortens Lives
The USA has a problem with incarceration. Since 1970, the number of people incarcerated has climbed from less than 500 000 … Continue reading →
PA’s Historical Right to Reputation by Josiah and John
PA’s Historical Right to Reputation By Josiah and John….. The history of Pennsylvania is an inspirational story for anyone who … Continue reading →
Join FAMM for their Pennsylvanians for Probation Reform Advocacy Day, September 24!
Pennsylvania has more than 300,000 people on probation or parole. Lengthy probation sentences keep people on supervision long past the … Continue reading →
When autistic people commit sexual crimes
For years, Nick Dubin couldn’t bring himself to say the word ‘gay,’ but part of him wondered: Was he gay? … Continue reading →
The Inequity of Sex Offender Registries
As the trial of Jeffrey Epstein unfolds, more and more details of his life have come under scrutiny, including the … Continue reading →
PA: A Kidnapping Law Could Unravel a Life
Friday, June 21, started like any other day for Michael McCleary. The Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, resident finished his overnight shift at … Continue reading →
Sex Offender Registries Don’t Keep Kids Safe, But Politicians Keep Expanding Them Anyway
The first time Damian Winters got evicted was in 2015. He was living with his wife and two sons in … Continue reading →
NARSOL IN ACTION: Exciting News on Current Litigation
You are invited to join NARSOL on Thursday, July 11th from 7 – 10 p.m. eastern time for a NARSOL … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Justices Nix Heavy Sentences for Repeat Sex Offenders
WASHINGTON (CN) — In an opinion that aligns Justice Neil Gorsuch with his liberal colleagues, the Supreme Court overturned a law that … Continue reading →
CO: “The ultimate scarlet letter”: A 29-year-old could get name off sex-offender registry for juvenile crimes if Denver court decides he’s being cruelly, unusually punished
A 29-year-old Coloradan made to register as a sex-offender for the rest of his life because of two sexual offenses … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Gundy v. United States – Affirmed
Holding: The judgment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that 34 U. S. C. §20913(d) – which requires … Continue reading →
The Sex Offender Registry Should Assess Risk, Otherwise it is Purely Punishment
A not-so-uncommon story: The sexual assault victim — a girl of 16. She’s now 37 years old, happily married to … Continue reading →
AK: Supreme Court declares law requiring all sex offenders to register unconstitutional
The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s sex offender registry law violates offenders’ right to due process. In … Continue reading →
Registry Matters recorded in front of a huge studio audience at the NARSOL conference in Houston, Texas
Registry Matters recorded in front of a huge studio audience at the NARSOL conference in Houston, Texas. It was a bit … Continue reading →
BJS Fuels Myths about Sex Offense Recidivism, Contradicting its Own New Data
By now, most people who pay any attention to criminal justice reform know better than to label people convicted of … Continue reading →
Interview with David Lee Garlock – Criminal Justice Reform and Second Chances Advocate
In this excellent podcast, David Garlock, a prominent name in criminal justice reform and a strong anti-registry advocate, talks with … Continue reading →
Gundy v. United States could signal a major change in the Supreme Court’s separation of powers jurisprudence
Gundy v. United States is not listed in most media accounts of important matters now before the Supreme Court, yet this … Continue reading →
Beware of Scammers
PARSOL received a call to report a scam call in Erie County. The person who received the call was aware … Continue reading →
New study shows sexual offense recidivism rates lower than previous estimates
By Maynard Law Office; reprinted with permission . . . Recently, the Bureau of Justice Statistics released a report entitled, “Recidivism … Continue reading →
MI: Lawmakers ordered to revise the Sex Offender Registry Act
A U.S. district court judge is giving Michigan lawmakers 90 days to change the state’s sex offender registry law, almost … Continue reading →
A MUST LISTEN – Dr Liam Marshall A Strengths Based Treatment Program
Women Against Registry hosts this informative podcast by Dr. Liam Marshall. He discusses various models for treatment of offenders – … Continue reading →
Join FAMM for their Pennsylvanians for Probation Reform Advocacy Day, September 24!
Pennsylvania has more than 300,000 people on probation or parole. Lengthy probation sentences keep people on supervision long past the … Continue reading →
PA: A Kidnapping Law Could Unravel a Life
Friday, June 21, started like any other day for Michael McCleary. The Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, resident finished his overnight shift at … Continue reading →
The Pennsylvania Courts Are Beginning to Understand
By Josiah…. We have seen some major wins in the Pennsylvania Courts beginning in 2017 that are making an impact … Continue reading →
PA Reentry Portal Link – Philly
Prisoner Reentry Network – Serving the Philadelphia Area Reentry Services’ goal is to help men and women released from prison … Continue reading →
National News
Follow ACSOL on our Twitter handle all4consolaws
ACSOL is now Tweeting regularly on Twitter! To stay up with the latest registrant-related national news stories and ACSOL news … Continue reading →
CA: Appeals court grants new trial to sexually violent predator because of prosecutorial misconduct
A convicted violent sexual predator will get a new chance for controlled release from a state hospital because of prosecutorial … Continue reading →
FL: People on Sex Offender Registry Should Shelter from Dorian in Jail
Barred from other shelters, registrants were left with few options as the hurricane approached. For some people convicted of sex … Continue reading →
NY: Second Circuit Backs Home Checks for Sex Offenders
MANHATTAN (CN) – A Long Island sex offender who faced home visits from a private nonprofit contracted by his county … Continue reading →
VA: Our Man in Arlington
A culture-clash of a trial will resume in late September in Arlington Circuit Court. The scantly reported-on civil procedure involves … Continue reading →
NJ: Legal Opportunity for New Jersey Registrants
Individuals convicted of a sex offense in New Jersey who are currently on community supervision for life may have an … Continue reading →
UT: ‘Conviction’ aside, Utah Supreme Court says sex offender must register
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Supreme Court has ruled a man must register as a sex offender, despite his … Continue reading →
10th Circuit Rules Special Conditions Allowing Probation Complete Discretion over Internet Use is Excessive
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in US v. Blair, ruled that a special condition on the Defendant’s Internet use that … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: We Will Not Be Silenced Anymore
“Until there is 50-50 representation, we should make no decisions.” “If we are going to make these decisions we should … Continue reading →
WA: Why a sex offender would run for office: Willie Russell’s story
Willie Russell is running for the Snohomish County Council this year. He squeaked through the August primary, and will face … Continue reading →
CA: City of Lompoc to Repeal Residency Restrictions
[ACSOL] The City of Lompoc, located in Santa Barbara County, is expected to finalize repeal of its residency restrictions during … Continue reading →
FL: Congratulations Derek!!! Appellate Court Voids Lauren Book’s Injunction
The order was issued by the 4th District Court of Appeals today so it’s being posted prior to our adding … Continue reading →
FL: More sex offenders arrive so NSB wants to make rules more strict
There are more sex offenders moving to New Smyrna Beach and that has prompted city leaders to consider shrinking the … Continue reading →
NC: GPS monitoring violates some sex offenders’ rights, NC Supreme Court rules
RALEIGHSex offenders have rights, too, and in some cases the state has been violating those rights, the NC Supreme Court … Continue reading →
Brian Banks Review: A Harrowing True Story of False Accusation
[movieweb.com – 7/30/19] The story of Brian Banks is especially pertinent in the #MeToo era. A high school football player in Long … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Law Enforcement Denies Registrants Full Access to AA Meetings
You’re a registrant on parole with an alcohol/substance abuse problem. You want to help yourself by attending AA, NA or … Continue reading →
AK: Without guidance, Alaska judges to ‘muddle through’ sex offender registry removal decisions
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) – Without guidance, Alaska Superior Court judges will have to “muddle their way through” decisions over how a person … Continue reading →
FL: Court Rules Against Sex Offender On Internet Use
Rejecting First Amendment arguments, a state appeals court Wednesday upheld restrictions on internet use by a sex offender. The ruling … Continue reading →
MO: Federal suit challenges sex offender registry
“The Missouri Legislature is prohibited from inflicting punishment on a particular person or group through legislative action without trial or … Continue reading →
CO: State and local laws push more registered sex offenders into low-income communities
The laws requiring the names of convicted sex offenders nationwide to be catalogued, and available to the public, bear the … Continue reading →
NY Cops Gave Jeffrey Epstein A Pass While Making More Than 7,000 Arrests For Similar Offenses
The New York Police Department allowed wealthy financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to skip dozens of court-mandated check-ins … Continue reading →
CA: Ordinance barring car-sleeping on L.A. residential streets quietly expires
LOS ANGELES – A city ordinance barring people from sleeping in vehicles parked on residential Los Angeles streets quietly expired … Continue reading →
MA: Doe v. Sex Offender Registry Board
The Supreme Judicial Court vacated and set aside a superior court judgment affirming a Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) decision … Continue reading →
IL: Wayside residents sue City of Aurora, challenge state’s residency laws for registered sex offenders
The 19 child sex offenders who were told they must leave Wayside Cross Ministries by July 26 have filed a … Continue reading →
RM84: NJ Judge Denies Waiver Elevating Teen to Adult Court and MORE
After a week break, we return with a mountain of information to go over. We have a small update on … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Georgia Law Punishes Registrants, Breaks Up Families
Registrants and their families are suffering in the State of Georgia. The cause of their greatest concern is a state … Continue reading →
NC: Animal abusers could appear on registry — like sex offenders in North Carolina
RALEIGH, N..C — A new bill introduced in the North Carolina legislature would require the names and photos of convicted … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Tennessee Temporary Restraining Order Extended Indefinitely
We were all waiting for July 11, 2019 the court date for the preliminary injunction regarding whether or not TN … Continue reading →
IN: Great decision out of Indiana
A great decision out of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana was issued earlier this … Continue reading →
Department of Justice Enables Direct Tribal Access to FBI National Sex Offender Registry
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Justice announced today a new tool giving tribal governments the ability to directly … Continue reading →
CA: Organization protecting sex offenders’ rights continues statewide lawsuit campaign, sues Lompoc
An organization dedicated to protecting the rights of registered sex offenders is ion a campaign to sue cities throughout California … Continue reading →
CA: Program lets victims confront offenders
[avpress.com – 7/9/19] SACRAMENTO – California officials are experimenting with a new diversion program for criminals that includes allowing victims … Continue reading →
NY: NY Sex Offenders Don’t Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says
People convicted of sexual offenses in New York will not have to disclose their status and will be permitted to … Continue reading →
FL: DeBary ordinance expands sex offender regulations
DEBARY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) – DeBary’s City Council passed an ordinance expanding regulations over registered sex offenders. The ordinance bans … Continue reading →
CA: Assembly Committee Approves Senate Bill 145
Today the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee approved a newly amended version of Senate Bill 145 (SB 145) that eliminated all … Continue reading →
CA: City of San Diego Asserts that SB 145 Will Allow Cities to Adopt Residency Restrictions for All Registrants
In a motion filed today in federal district court, the City of San Diego asserted that the current language of … Continue reading →
Florida Action Committee Weekly Update 2019-06-18: Trip to ACSOL Conference
Some people travel to Los Angeles hoping to run into celebrities or rock stars. My trip to LA for the … Continue reading →
FL: Florida’s sex offender population is aging. Where can they live out their silver years?
When Mark Sullivan found his roommate, Aquila “Bud” Albertson, grasping onto their refrigerator door, clearly in pain, Sullivan said the … Continue reading →
CO: Court upholds ruling to require teen who traded naked selfies with girls his age to register as a sex offender
Colorado’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling last week that required a juvenile boy to register as a sex offender after … Continue reading →
TN: Tennessee Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order
A federal Judge in Tennessee has issued a temporary restraining order blocking a law scheduled to go into effect tomorrow … Continue reading →
Lawsuit filed over Tennessee law banning sex offenders from living with their own children
Three unidentified men filed a federal lawsuit this week against Gov. Bill Lee over a soon-to-be enacted law that will prohibit … Continue reading →
TN: New Law Forces Dozens on Tennessee’s Sex Offender Registry from Their Homes
The legislation also makes it illegal for many ex-offenders to be alone with their own children. Last Sunday, Jason broke … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Court Decision an Important Point on Path to Tipping Point
Another court has spoken the truth: registration is punishment. That court is Division III of the Colorado Court of Appeals. … Continue reading →
New Tennessee Legislation will Destroy Hundreds, Probably Thousands, of Families
These parents, primarily fathers, are not being imprisoned or detained by the authorities. While they all have been convicted of … Continue reading →
NY: Bill preventing minors from living under same roof as sex offenders awaits Cuomo’s OK
CITY HALL — Minors will no longer be able to live under the same roof as sex offenders who have … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Where Does the Burden of Proof Lie?
Just by virtue of being on the registry comes the erroneous assumption that all registrants are a danger to the … Continue reading →
CA: Number of Registrants Increases Significantly
The total number of CA residents required to register has grown to 108,128 according to a report today given by … Continue reading →
The Marshall Project Wins an Edward R. Murrow Award [for “Banished”]
“Banished,” The Marshall Project’s immersive multimedia story on the lives of sex offenders living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, who abide by … Continue reading →
FL: Fort Lauderdale relaxes restrictions on where sex offenders can live
Fort Lauderdale city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to relax the city’s residency restrictions on sex offenders. Offenders will now be … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Tennessee’s New Law: A Form of Birth Control for Registrants
Several months ago several TN Senators and Representatives were hell-bent on passing a two-fold law aimed at further punishment against … Continue reading →
NY: Social media accounts raise complexities for sex offender registry
New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act has been on the books since July 25, 1995, with a simple purpose — … Continue reading →
AL: Alabama governor signs chemical castration bill into law
Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed a bill into law that requires someone convicted of a sex offense against … Continue reading →
FL: Homeless Sex Offenders Must Move Again
Ever since the Julia Tuttle Causeway became an encampment for sex offenders more than a decade ago, officials have been trying to … Continue reading →
Remove Children from Sex-Offender Registries
There are good reasons to reconsider some aspects of the 1994 Crime Bill, because we’ve had a chance to see … Continue reading →
NC: Court Reverses Order for Convicted Sex Offender to Wear GPS-monitoring System for Life
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s second-highest court has reversed a decision requiring a man who pleaded guilty to taking … Continue reading →
IL: Long legal battle in sex offender case ends with plea deal, probation
BLOOMINGTON — Charges filed in 2018 were dismissed Friday against a 26-year-old Normal man after he pleaded guilty to a … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Does Law Enforcement Belong In Your Group Setting?
Therapeutic treatment groups, no matter what kind, are usually carefully monitored settings where one can feel safe enough to talk … Continue reading →
CT: Sentencing Commission Makes Last-Minute Plea To Senate
HARTFORD, CT — With less than two weeks to the end of the legislative session, the state Sentencing Commission is … Continue reading →
CO: Remembering Richard Matsch, Badass Judge With Courage of His Convictions
[westword.com – 5/28/19] Judge Richard Matsch, who died on May 26 at the age of 88, is best known for having overseen … Continue reading →
Review: Staging a True Family Nightmare in ‘Accidentally Brave’
[nytimes.com – 3/25/19] Some plays are seeds and some are stones. Seeds are the ones that grow and change over … Continue reading →
MD: A teenage girl texted her friends a graphic video of herself. A court said she’d shared child pornography
The three teenagers regularly shared silly videos, trying to one-up each other and trusting that the group text messages would … Continue reading →
MA: State’s Highest Court Orders Release Of Sex Offender Held Since 1970s
Massachusetts’ highest court ruled Thursday that a 71-year-old convicted sex offender held for more than 40 years as a sexually … Continue reading →
CA: Simon Isn’t A Sex Offender. But He’s Still on the Registry For Life
SIMON LIU ISN’T A SEX OFFENDER. BUT HE’S STILL ON THE REGISTRY FOR LIFE. California’s expansive registry law forces people … Continue reading →
UT: Lawmaker calls for study in taking some convicts off sex offender registry
It’s a sensitive issues at the Utah Capitol — maybe close to alcohol policy, marijuana and Medicaid expansion — who … Continue reading →
CA: Santa Clarita City Council To Consider Repeal Of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
The Santa Clarita City Council is considering repealing restrictions Tuesday which currently limit registered sex offenders from living near schools … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: The Registry “Jingles” Away With Your Money
The holidays, a time of giving. But for registrants, that “giving”, goes on all year. Registrants fork over payment for … Continue reading →
WA: Sex offender records request raises safety, First Amendment questions
Attorneys fighting a request to release the names of all level 1 sex offenders in Cowlitz County are making a … Continue reading →
MI: This Proposed Michigan Law Would Treat Parents Who Use Drugs Like Sex Offenders
[filtermag.org – 12/12/18] Sex offender registries and notification laws have proliferated in the name of protecting women and children, despite … Continue reading →
UT: Social work expert disagrees with federal law enforcers about sex offender treatment
[deseretnews.com – 12/15/18] A University of Utah social work professor and therapist disagrees with the state’s top federal law enforcement … Continue reading →
MN: Judge strikes down city ordinance restricting sex offender housing
[startribune.com – 12/18/18] A Hennepin County judge has struck down an ordinance in Dayton, Minn. that restricts where sex offenders … Continue reading →
CT: Commission Considers Changes to State Sex-Offender Registry
Connecticut is steps closer to potentially changing the way the state’s sex-offender registry is managed. The Connecticut Sentencing Commission is … Continue reading →
VA: Father of 5 says life on sex offender registry has forced him and his family into homelessness
Many people may be unconcerned with what someone on the registry goes through, but William Walker said he hopes by … Continue reading →
UT: Most sex offenders will be released from prison – What Utah corrections is doing to keep you safe
The sex offender population at the Utah State Prison continues to grow at a staggering pace. In 1996, there were … Continue reading →
IN: Sex offender questions meaning of ‘obscene’
[tribstar.com – 11/25/18] When community corrections officers went to check on Nathaniel Bennett, who was serving an in-home sentence for … Continue reading →
Cotton wields sex offender report to tank prisons bill
GOP Sen. Tom Cotton is locked in an awkward fight with fellow Republicans over their push to change federal prison … Continue reading →
CA: Changing Minds: Master student’s thesis challenges views on sex offender laws
A California law that will go into effect in 2021 is set to bring about the most sweeping changes ever … Continue reading →
NC: Process for adding out of state convictions to state registry is unconstitutional
[floridaactioncommittee.org – 11/23/18] In an opinion entered earlier this month. A North Carolina District Court Judge found the state’s process … Continue reading →
AZ: Denying Bail
The Arizona Supreme Court got it right: categorical denials of bail to persons charged with sexual assault violates the Constitution. … Continue reading →
NC: High court weighs if tracking sex offenders reasonable
North Carolina’s Supreme Court is re-evaluating whether forcing sex offenders to be perpetually tracked by GPS-linked devices, sometimes for the … Continue reading →
MI: Does v. Snyder brings changes to state’s Sex Offender Registration Law
Six people who filed a lawsuit against the State of Michigan, challenging the constitutionality of its Sex Offender Registration Act … Continue reading →
These sex offenders are begging to be deported. Why does California pay millions to keep them?
_____ _____ has a healthy kidney waiting for him in El Salvador. But he can’t get to it. Despite his … Continue reading →
CA: Man Held 17 Years Without Trial Ordered Free by Appellate Court
Attributing a California man’s 17-year detention awaiting trial for commitment as a sexually violent predator to a “systematic breakdown in … Continue reading →
GA: The Jolt: On Stacey Abrams’ ‘08 vote against banishment of sex offenders
[politics.myajc.com – 9/11/18] On Monday, the Georgia GOP again plunged deeply into the legislative record of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey … Continue reading →
SC: Can sex offenders stay at Red Cross shelters?
With Hurricane Florence barreling towards the coast of the Carolinas, residents in multiple counties have been urged to evacuate either … Continue reading →
NE: Judge – Keep juvenile sex offenders off registry
A federal judge has told Nebraska to keep juvenile sex offenders off the state sex offender registry if they weren’t … Continue reading →
TedMed Talk – Child Sexual Abuse is Preventable, Not Inevitable by Elizabeth Letourneau
Elizabeth Letourneau, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Professor, addresses the effectiveness and need of prevention in child sexual … Continue reading →
News Feeds
Follow ACSOL on our Twitter handle all4consolaws
ACSOL is now Tweeting regularly on Twitter! To stay up with the latest registrant-related national news stories and ACSOL news … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: “THAT” Can Happen To You
We’ve all sometimes wondered, how did THAT happen? How did I or my family member or my friend become tangled … Continue reading →
CA: Appeals court grants new trial to sexually violent predator because of prosecutorial misconduct
A convicted violent sexual predator will get a new chance for controlled release from a state hospital because of prosecutorial … Continue reading →
3 Ways to Help Offenders Safely Reintegrate Back into the Community
[phys.org – 9/3/19]Few categories of offender invoke as strong a response as sex offenders. There is a public desire to … Continue reading →
FL: People on Sex Offender Registry Should Shelter from Dorian in Jail
Barred from other shelters, registrants were left with few options as the hurricane approached. For some people convicted of sex … Continue reading →
NY: Second Circuit Backs Home Checks for Sex Offenders
MANHATTAN (CN) – A Long Island sex offender who faced home visits from a private nonprofit contracted by his county … Continue reading →
VA: Our Man in Arlington
A culture-clash of a trial will resume in late September in Arlington Circuit Court. The scantly reported-on civil procedure involves … Continue reading →
MI: ACLU Michigan Attorney Advocates End of Registry; Provides Update on 6th Circuit Decision
In a recent NPR interview, ACLU Michigan attorney Miriam Aukerman stated she believes that sex offender registries should be abolished. … Continue reading →
NJ: Legal Opportunity for New Jersey Registrants
Individuals convicted of a sex offense in New Jersey who are currently on community supervision for life may have an … Continue reading →
FL: A look inside Florida Civil Commitment Center life: Pesci v. Budz
[law.justia.com – 8/21/19] James Pesci is a detainee at the Florida Civil Commitment Center (FCCC), a for-profit facility that houses … Continue reading →
Indonesian Doctors Refuse to Castrate Child-Sex Convict
[benarnews.org – 8/27/19]The association representing medical doctors in Indonesia said Tuesday it would refuse to take part in chemically castrating … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Child Pornography Laws Should Protect, Not Prosecute Children
The highest state court in Maryland ruled yesterday that a teenage girl could be prosecuted for distributing “child pornography” because … Continue reading →
Op-Ed: Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide was part of a much bigger crisis in U.S. jails and prisons
[latimes.com – 8/19/19]The New York City medical examiner’s ruling that sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in jail has prompted … Continue reading →
VA: In Arlington, a judge must decide if a nonviolent sex offender should stay incarcerated after serving his sentence
[washingtonpost.com – 8/23/19] Philip Fornaci is a civil rights lawyer based in Washington. Roger Lancaster is the author of “Sex … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Shaming Accomplishes Nothing
In the past month we’ve read articles about shame, Florida Shaming/Could Your Real Estate Agent be a Sex Offender, Nigeria: … Continue reading →
UT: ‘Conviction’ aside, Utah Supreme Court says sex offender must register
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Supreme Court has ruled a man must register as a sex offender, despite his … Continue reading →
10th Circuit Rules Special Conditions Allowing Probation Complete Discretion over Internet Use is Excessive
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in US v. Blair, ruled that a special condition on the Defendant’s Internet use that … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: We Will Not Be Silenced Anymore
“Until there is 50-50 representation, we should make no decisions.” “If we are going to make these decisions we should … Continue reading →
WA: Why a sex offender would run for office: Willie Russell’s story
Willie Russell is running for the Snohomish County Council this year. He squeaked through the August primary, and will face … Continue reading →
Epstein might not have been killed, but sex offenders’ prison deaths often are ‘choreographed’
[miamiherald.com – 8/12/19] Many people aren’t buying the official “suicide” story from the Manhattan Correctional Complex that housed financier and … Continue reading →
CA: City of Lompoc to Repeal Residency Restrictions
[ACSOL] The City of Lompoc, located in Santa Barbara County, is expected to finalize repeal of its residency restrictions during … Continue reading →
FL: Congratulations Derek!!! Appellate Court Voids Lauren Book’s Injunction
The order was issued by the 4th District Court of Appeals today so it’s being posted prior to our adding … Continue reading →
IRE: How Ireland deals with sex offenders after they’re released from prison
AT ANY ONE time there are between 400 and 450 people convicted of sexual violence in custody in Irish prisons. … Continue reading →
FL: More sex offenders arrive so NSB wants to make rules more strict
There are more sex offenders moving to New Smyrna Beach and that has prompted city leaders to consider shrinking the … Continue reading →
NC: GPS monitoring violates some sex offenders’ rights, NC Supreme Court rules
RALEIGHSex offenders have rights, too, and in some cases the state has been violating those rights, the NC Supreme Court … Continue reading →
Brian Banks Review: A Harrowing True Story of False Accusation
[movieweb.com – 7/30/19] The story of Brian Banks is especially pertinent in the #MeToo era. A high school football player in Long … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Law Enforcement Denies Registrants Full Access to AA Meetings
You’re a registrant on parole with an alcohol/substance abuse problem. You want to help yourself by attending AA, NA or … Continue reading →
AK: Without guidance, Alaska judges to ‘muddle through’ sex offender registry removal decisions
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) – Without guidance, Alaska Superior Court judges will have to “muddle their way through” decisions over how a person … Continue reading →
Australia: Sex Offender Registries: Are they keeping our children safe?
[psychologytoday.com/au – 8/9/19]Sex offender registries have been in the news lately as media outlets have been questioning why billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was … Continue reading →
How Social Media Shapes Our Identity
This articles speaks more to the permanency of images and identities that Social Media has created for children and adults … Continue reading →
US Mass Incarceration Damages Health and Shortens Lives
The USA has a problem with incarceration. Since 1970, the number of people incarcerated has climbed from less than 500 000 … Continue reading →
FL: Court Rules Against Sex Offender On Internet Use
Rejecting First Amendment arguments, a state appeals court Wednesday upheld restrictions on internet use by a sex offender. The ruling … Continue reading →
MO: Federal suit challenges sex offender registry
“The Missouri Legislature is prohibited from inflicting punishment on a particular person or group through legislative action without trial or … Continue reading →
CO: State and local laws push more registered sex offenders into low-income communities
The laws requiring the names of convicted sex offenders nationwide to be catalogued, and available to the public, bear the … Continue reading →
NY Cops Gave Jeffrey Epstein A Pass While Making More Than 7,000 Arrests For Similar Offenses
The New York Police Department allowed wealthy financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to skip dozens of court-mandated check-ins … Continue reading →
CA: Ordinance barring car-sleeping on L.A. residential streets quietly expires
LOS ANGELES – A city ordinance barring people from sleeping in vehicles parked on residential Los Angeles streets quietly expired … Continue reading →
MA: Doe v. Sex Offender Registry Board
The Supreme Judicial Court vacated and set aside a superior court judgment affirming a Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) decision … Continue reading →
IL: Wayside residents sue City of Aurora, challenge state’s residency laws for registered sex offenders
The 19 child sex offenders who were told they must leave Wayside Cross Ministries by July 26 have filed a … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Georgia Law Punishes Registrants, Breaks Up Families
Registrants and their families are suffering in the State of Georgia. The cause of their greatest concern is a state … Continue reading →
When autistic people commit sexual crimes
For years, Nick Dubin couldn’t bring himself to say the word ‘gay,’ but part of him wondered: Was he gay? … Continue reading →
The Inequity of Sex Offender Registries
As the trial of Jeffrey Epstein unfolds, more and more details of his life have come under scrutiny, including the … Continue reading →
PA: A Kidnapping Law Could Unravel a Life
Friday, June 21, started like any other day for Michael McCleary. The Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, resident finished his overnight shift at … Continue reading →
NC: Animal abusers could appear on registry — like sex offenders in North Carolina
RALEIGH, N..C — A new bill introduced in the North Carolina legislature would require the names and photos of convicted … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Tennessee Temporary Restraining Order Extended Indefinitely
We were all waiting for July 11, 2019 the court date for the preliminary injunction regarding whether or not TN … Continue reading →
Bahamas: Sexual Offences Court Could Have Disruptive Impact
JUSTICE Bernard Turner yesterday expressed concern that the establishment of a sexual offences court could have a “disruptive impact” as … Continue reading →
IN: Great decision out of Indiana
A great decision out of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana was issued earlier this … Continue reading →
Sex Offender Registries Don’t Keep Kids Safe, But Politicians Keep Expanding Them Anyway
The first time Damian Winters got evicted was in 2015. He was living with his wife and two sons in … Continue reading →
Department of Justice Enables Direct Tribal Access to FBI National Sex Offender Registry
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Justice announced today a new tool giving tribal governments the ability to directly … Continue reading →
CA: Organization protecting sex offenders’ rights continues statewide lawsuit campaign, sues Lompoc
An organization dedicated to protecting the rights of registered sex offenders is ion a campaign to sue cities throughout California … Continue reading →
CA: Program lets victims confront offenders
[avpress.com – 7/9/19] SACRAMENTO – California officials are experimenting with a new diversion program for criminals that includes allowing victims … Continue reading →
NY: NY Sex Offenders Don’t Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says
People convicted of sexual offenses in New York will not have to disclose their status and will be permitted to … Continue reading →
FL: DeBary ordinance expands sex offender regulations
DEBARY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) – DeBary’s City Council passed an ordinance expanding regulations over registered sex offenders. The ordinance bans … Continue reading →
CA: Assembly Committee Approves Senate Bill 145
Today the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee approved a newly amended version of Senate Bill 145 (SB 145) that eliminated all … Continue reading →
CA: City of San Diego Asserts that SB 145 Will Allow Cities to Adopt Residency Restrictions for All Registrants
In a motion filed today in federal district court, the City of San Diego asserted that the current language of … Continue reading →
Florida Action Committee Weekly Update 2019-06-18: Trip to ACSOL Conference
Some people travel to Los Angeles hoping to run into celebrities or rock stars. My trip to LA for the … Continue reading →
FL: Florida’s sex offender population is aging. Where can they live out their silver years?
When Mark Sullivan found his roommate, Aquila “Bud” Albertson, grasping onto their refrigerator door, clearly in pain, Sullivan said the … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Justices Nix Heavy Sentences for Repeat Sex Offenders
WASHINGTON (CN) — In an opinion that aligns Justice Neil Gorsuch with his liberal colleagues, the Supreme Court overturned a law that … Continue reading →
CO: Court upholds ruling to require teen who traded naked selfies with girls his age to register as a sex offender
Colorado’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling last week that required a juvenile boy to register as a sex offender after … Continue reading →
TN: Tennessee Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order
A federal Judge in Tennessee has issued a temporary restraining order blocking a law scheduled to go into effect tomorrow … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Court Decision an Important Point on Path to Tipping Point
Another court has spoken the truth: registration is punishment. That court is Division III of the Colorado Court of Appeals. … Continue reading →
CO: “The ultimate scarlet letter”: A 29-year-old could get name off sex-offender registry for juvenile crimes if Denver court decides he’s being cruelly, unusually punished
A 29-year-old Coloradan made to register as a sex-offender for the rest of his life because of two sexual offenses … Continue reading →
NY: Bill preventing minors from living under same roof as sex offenders awaits Cuomo’s OK
CITY HALL — Minors will no longer be able to live under the same roof as sex offenders who have … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Where Does the Burden of Proof Lie?
Just by virtue of being on the registry comes the erroneous assumption that all registrants are a danger to the … Continue reading →
CA: Number of Registrants Increases Significantly
The total number of CA residents required to register has grown to 108,128 according to a report today given by … Continue reading →
The Marshall Project Wins an Edward R. Murrow Award [for “Banished”]
“Banished,” The Marshall Project’s immersive multimedia story on the lives of sex offenders living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, who abide by … Continue reading →
FL: Fort Lauderdale relaxes restrictions on where sex offenders can live
Fort Lauderdale city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to relax the city’s residency restrictions on sex offenders. Offenders will now be … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Gundy v. United States – Affirmed
Holding: The judgment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that 34 U. S. C. §20913(d) – which requires … Continue reading →
AK: Supreme Court declares law requiring all sex offenders to register unconstitutional
The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s sex offender registry law violates offenders’ right to due process. In … Continue reading →
FL: Fort Lauderdale opening more neighborhoods to sex offenders with change in strict law
[sun-sentinel.com – 6/7/19] There are no homes at 2700 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Although the only buildings standing … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Tennessee’s New Law: A Form of Birth Control for Registrants
Several months ago several TN Senators and Representatives were hell-bent on passing a two-fold law aimed at further punishment against … Continue reading →
How the Use of Improper Statistics and Unverified Data Corrupts the Judicial Process in Sex Offender Cases
As we discussed our experiences further, we both inevitably focused on the topic at the heart of this Article: the … Continue reading →
NY: Social media accounts raise complexities for sex offender registry
New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act has been on the books since July 25, 1995, with a simple purpose — … Continue reading →
AL: Alabama governor signs chemical castration bill into law
Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed a bill into law that requires someone convicted of a sex offense against … Continue reading →
FL: Homeless Sex Offenders Must Move Again
Ever since the Julia Tuttle Causeway became an encampment for sex offenders more than a decade ago, officials have been trying to … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Accusations
A recent story out of Logan, Utah got me thinking about how those who are wrongly accused, whether a registrant … Continue reading →
Remove Children from Sex-Offender Registries
There are good reasons to reconsider some aspects of the 1994 Crime Bill, because we’ve had a chance to see … Continue reading →
NC: Court Reverses Order for Convicted Sex Offender to Wear GPS-monitoring System for Life
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s second-highest court has reversed a decision requiring a man who pleaded guilty to taking … Continue reading →
Gundy v. United States could signal a major change in the Supreme Court’s separation of powers jurisprudence
Gundy v. United States is not listed in most media accounts of important matters now before the Supreme Court, yet this … Continue reading →
Modern-Day Gulags In the Golden State
Back in 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the practice known as civil commitment was legal. This meant that 20 … Continue reading →
IL: Long legal battle in sex offender case ends with plea deal, probation
BLOOMINGTON — Charges filed in 2018 were dismissed Friday against a 26-year-old Normal man after he pleaded guilty to a … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Does Law Enforcement Belong In Your Group Setting?
Therapeutic treatment groups, no matter what kind, are usually carefully monitored settings where one can feel safe enough to talk … Continue reading →
CT: Sentencing Commission Makes Last-Minute Plea To Senate
HARTFORD, CT — With less than two weeks to the end of the legislative session, the state Sentencing Commission is … Continue reading →
CO: Remembering Richard Matsch, Badass Judge With Courage of His Convictions
[westword.com – 5/28/19] Judge Richard Matsch, who died on May 26 at the age of 88, is best known for having overseen … Continue reading →
MI: Lawmakers ordered to revise the Sex Offender Registry Act
A U.S. district court judge is giving Michigan lawmakers 90 days to change the state’s sex offender registry law, almost … Continue reading →
Review: Staging a True Family Nightmare in ‘Accidentally Brave’
[nytimes.com – 3/25/19] Some plays are seeds and some are stones. Seeds are the ones that grow and change over … Continue reading →
MD: A teenage girl texted her friends a graphic video of herself. A court said she’d shared child pornography
The three teenagers regularly shared silly videos, trying to one-up each other and trusting that the group text messages would … Continue reading →
MA: State’s Highest Court Orders Release Of Sex Offender Held Since 1970s
Massachusetts’ highest court ruled Thursday that a 71-year-old convicted sex offender held for more than 40 years as a sexually … Continue reading →
CA: Simon Isn’t A Sex Offender. But He’s Still on the Registry For Life
SIMON LIU ISN’T A SEX OFFENDER. BUT HE’S STILL ON THE REGISTRY FOR LIFE. California’s expansive registry law forces people … Continue reading →
Singapore: Suspended sentences: Sex offenders should undergo psychological evaluation, treatment
[singaporelawwatch.sg – 5/14/19] In dealing with sex offenders with mental illness, the best solution may not be rehabilitation, says … Continue reading →
UT: Lawmaker calls for study in taking some convicts off sex offender registry
It’s a sensitive issues at the Utah Capitol — maybe close to alcohol policy, marijuana and Medicaid expansion — who … Continue reading →
CA: Santa Clarita City Council To Consider Repeal Of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
The Santa Clarita City Council is considering repealing restrictions Tuesday which currently limit registered sex offenders from living near schools … Continue reading →
AZ: Sex registry bill defeated as senators protest failure to expand rights for sex abuse victims
Lawmakers argued passionately and the Senate president turned off a fellow Republican’s microphone as senators killed a bill expanding the … Continue reading →
IN: Prison Sex Offender Treatment vs. The Fifth
Remember the Inquisition where you could either deny your guilt and get burned at the stake, or confess and get … Continue reading →
FL: Housing elderly sex offenders
People on Florida’s list of 73,000 registered offenders who are 65 and older jumped 2 percentage points between 2015 and … Continue reading →
ID: Sex offenders ask court to revive Idaho registry lawsuit
BOISE, Idaho (AP) – A group of 134 sex offenders have asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court to revive their … Continue reading →
FL: Approves Database to Publish Details of People Who Pay for Sex
The Florida legislature passed legislation within the past week, Senate Bill 540 and House Bill 851, to establish a public database that tracks … Continue reading →
VA: A look at why Gov. Northam vetoed a bill related to sex offenders in emergency shelters
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has vetoed legislation that would allow officials to temporarily block convicted sex offenders from using emergency … Continue reading →
The Problem with Sex Offender Punishment
Few crimes evoke such passionate and emotional public responses as do those committed by the sexual offender; yet, few crimes … Continue reading →
Abolish the sex offender registry
It’s not easy to come to the defense of nonviolent sex offenders. Any lawmaker that considers reforming the excessively-punitive registry … Continue reading →
IN: 7th Circuit rules DOC sex offender program violates Constitution
Finding the disclosures provide information that any law enforcement agent “would love to have,” the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Why We Stay
Recently Fox News did an article on Law & Order TV Director Jace Alexander (son of actress Jane Alexander). Mr. … Continue reading →
MI: ACLU pushes for removal of sex offender registry
MICHIGAN — Could the sex offender registry soon be a thing of the past? The American Civil Liberties Union wants … Continue reading →
The Feds Are Dropping Child Porn Cases Instead of Revealing Info on Their Surveillance Systems
The Department of Justice has been dismissing child pornography cases in order to not reveal information about the software programs … Continue reading →
AZ: Fann removes key roadblock to sex offender registration bill
House Speaker Rusty Bowers’ bill to allow some people to petition to stop registering as a sex offender is back … Continue reading →
CA: Sex offender challenges Commerce residency restrictions
LOS ANGELES (CNS) – An admitted sex offender who is not on parole is suing the city of Commerce, alleging … Continue reading →
IN: County considers sex offender fee
The Jackson County Commissioners plan to discuss creating an annual fee for work associated with maintaining the county’s sex offender … Continue reading →
The sex offender registry should assess risk, otherwise it is purely punishment
A not-so-uncommon story: The sexual assault victim — a girl of 16. She’s now 37 years old, happily married to … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: TN HB407 Smells of Genocide
As I watched the TN General Assembly video/April 10th/Finance, Ways & Means Committee/ Vote on part two of HB407, I … Continue reading →
AZ: Stringer fallout halts sex offender registry reform
[eacourier.com – 4/11/19] Legislation that would make more people eligible to have their names removed from Arizona’s sex offender … Continue reading →
CA: Appeals court strikes down state law that banned early parole for youthful violent sex offenders
Two men who received life sentences for a brutal sexual assault and robbery in Oakland when they were 19 must … Continue reading →
WA: Washington Sexting Bill Aims to Shield Teens From Adult Law
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Legislation aimed at keeping youth who send sexually explicit texts from being charged under adult sex … Continue reading →
Canada: Sex-offender registry laws discriminate against mentally ill, court rules
[theprovince.com – 4/4/19] Parts of federal and Ontario laws requiring sex-offender registration where an accused is granted an absolute … Continue reading →
Australia: A public register of child sex offenders will do more harm than good
If politicians are looking for a sure fire vote winner then anything that punishes people convicted of sex offences does … Continue reading →
IA: Iowa Supreme Court rules requiring sex offenders to report social media presence is not a First Amendment violation
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday that requiring sex offenders to disclose their social media identities and other digital information does … Continue reading →
Living with 290: Success Story – Certificate of Rehabilitation and Removal from the CA Registry
I want to share a success story of overcoming the confines of being a registrant, and the practical steps I … Continue reading →
Prosecutors Dropping Child Porn Charges After Software Tools Are Questioned
[propublica.org – 4/3/19] Using specialized software, investigators traced explicit child pornography to Todd Hartman’s internet address. A dozen police … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Living in the Gray Zone
A local “sex offender treatment group” recently had a guest speaker from the sheriff’s office. He was there to speak … Continue reading →
International Travel 2019
We have updated our main International Travel section. It features: List of Schengen Nations (allowing entry to registrants); Resources (including … Continue reading →
PA: High Court will again review sex offender registration
Two years ago, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court shook up long-settled orthodoxy by ruling that the state’s sex offender registration law, … Continue reading →
CA: Public Safety Committees Stop AB 884, Pass SB 145
The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee today, by a vote of 3 to 4, stopped Assembly Bill 884. Due to the … Continue reading →
CA: Judge Allows San Diego Sex Offender Lawsuit To Proceed
San Diego City Council members are under more pressure to repeal an unenforceable law restricting where sex offenders can live … Continue reading →
IL: Federal Judge Finds Illinois Rules On Sex Offenders Unconstitutional
[wbez.org – 4/1/19] A federal judge in Chicago has found the Illinois Department of Corrections is violating the constitutional … Continue reading →
CT: Lawmakers Debate Changes in Sex Offender Registry
State legislators are debating whether they should make changes in the state’s sex offender registry, which was established in 1998. … Continue reading →
OR: Portland city leader wants landlords to forgive bad credit and crimes
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) – Hoping to get more people into homes, Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly is proposing that landlords … Continue reading →
AZ: Sex offenders get chance to end life-long registration under House proposal
State lawmakers are weighing whether to give judges more leeway to eliminate the requirement that certain people register for life … Continue reading →
FL: Cops Re-Arrest 26 Sex Offenders in ‘Operation Karma.’ Their Crime? Not Updating Their Car Info.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Department in Florida is touting its successful completion of “Operation Karma,” a three-day sting in which … Continue reading →
MA: Mandatory GPS monitoring of some sex offenders violates privacy rights
Convicted sex offenders retain a constitutional right to privacy, and those rights are being violated by a state law mandating … Continue reading →
Janice’s Journal: Flowers of Justice are Blooming
Spring has begun and the flowers of justice are blooming. One of these flowers, which is especially beautiful and fragrant, … Continue reading →
NCJFCJ Releases Resolution for Sex Offender Requirements for Youth Under Age 18
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) released its latest resolution regarding sex offender requirements for youth under the age of … Continue reading →
CT: Press Release from One Standard of Justice, Inc. re: Windsor Locks federal suit re: “Child Safety Zones”
On March 27, 2018, Stamford attorney Audrey Felsen of Koffsky & Felsen filed suit in federal court seeking declaratory and … Continue reading →
Residency Restrictions: Wise or Unwise
Banishment! In the 21st century many localities in the United States use an ancient means to get rid of people … Continue reading →
NJ: Huge increase in released sex offenders is draining resources from other inmates
Across the United States, a growing number of incarcerated individuals are being released to face the barriers to reintegration with … Continue reading →
CT: Windsor Locks to vote on repealing sex offender proximity ordinance
WINDSOR LOCKS — Nearly a year after an advocacy group and an anonymous resident filed a lawsuit against the town … Continue reading →
MI: ACLU lawsuits look to reform Michigan Sex Offender Registry
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A federal court ruled three years ago that parts of Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry laws were unconstitutional, but … Continue reading →
The Effectiveness of Sex Offender Treatment Programs
An article posted in the Daily Mail on June 24 2016 caught my eye, why?, because it’s something that I … Continue reading →
36 Years In An Illinois Prison Without a Conviction or Sentence
In 1982, Terry Allen was charged with sexual assault, but prosecutors offered him what seemed like a way out. No … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Reframing the Message Begins With You
In a recent chat with a registrant he referred to himself as a “S.O.” /”sex offender”. I was sort of … Continue reading →
Churches Under Fire for Allowing Sex Offenders to Attend Services
[pjmedia.com – 3/7/19] Several churches within the Churches of Christ denomination have come under fire for allowing sex offenders to … Continue reading →
WA: House Passes Responsible Teen Communications Act
[seattlemedium.com – 3/6/19] OLYMPIA – On Monday, the Washington State House of Representatives passed House Bill 1742 on a bipartisan … Continue reading →
FL: Florida’s Sex Offender Registry Proves Inescapable
It was the kind of headline guaranteed to generate clicks even over the winter holidays and amid a federal government … Continue reading →
GA: Georgia Court blocks lifelong GPS tracking of sex offenders
[thebrunswicknews.com – 3/4/19] Georgia’s highest court says it’s unconstitutional to require “sexually dangerous predators” to remain on electronic GPS monitoring … Continue reading →
IN: Amendment bars sex offender from son’s school activities
A registered sex offender previously able to attend his son’s school activities per a trial court-granted request was denied that … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Make a Difference
Like many of you, before I knew someone on the registry or became involved in advocacy, I never gave much … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Court poised to rule for challenger in dispute over constitutionality of sex-offender law
http://amylhowe.com/2019/02/26/argument-analysis-court-poised-to-rule-for-challenger-in-dispute-over-constitutionality-of-sex-offender-law/This morning the Supreme Court heard oral argument in a dispute over the constitutionality of a federal law that requires … Continue reading →
Want to build safer online communities? Drop the ban.
Creating safer and more equitable communities — both in real life, and online — is an important undertaking. Undoubtedly we are in agreement that … Continue reading →
NY: Statement on Landmark Appellate Decision Limiting the Reach of SORA Residency Restrictions
[legalaidnyc.org – 2/21/19] The Legal Aid Society applauded a ruling rendered today by the New York State Appellate Division – … Continue reading →
AR: Senate votes 27-1 for sex-offender bill
[arkansasonline.com – 2/22/19] The Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would allow people convicted of sex offenses not to … Continue reading →
U.S. Marshalls: Citizens can provide leads and tips on non-compliant registrants
[usmarshals.gov] The frightening aspect involves reporting of non-compliant sex offenders. There are so many things wrong with this. First it … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: A Few Words on Suicide
Back in 2017 I wrote a piece on the Women Against Registry website titled “No More Suicides, Please!” So, I … Continue reading →
Number of CA Registrants Tops 110,000 Mark
The current number of individuals required to register in the state of California exceeds 110,000 for the first time, according … Continue reading →
MA: More Than A Quarter Of Boston’s Registered Sex Offenders Are Homeless
The purpose of the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry is to keep track of where dangerous sex offenders are, but what … Continue reading →
Our cruel, counterproductive sex offender laws: Anthony Weiner is a window into what’s wrong with our system of punishment
[nydailynews.com – 2/20/19] Emily Horowitz is a member of the ACSOL Board of Directors and was a Speaker at the … Continue reading →
AZ: MariCo attorney behind push to slightly loosen sex offender registry law
More sex offenders would become eligible to have their names removed from the Arizona’s sex offender registry but would face … Continue reading →
FL: Miami-Dade Sex Offenders ‘Forced to be Homeless’
[thecrimereport.org – 2/19/19] Since he was released from prison almost five years ago, John has never had a place he … Continue reading →
CA: CA Democrats Author Bill to Protect Sex Offenders Who Lure Minors
State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) introduced recent legislation “to end blatant discrimination against LGBT … Continue reading →
CA: ACSOL Supports Senate Bill to Terminate Registration Requirements
The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) has agreed to support Senate Bill 145 that would provide judges with … Continue reading →
AL: District Court Determines Alabama Laws to be Punishment
Doe v. Marshall – decided February 11, 2019 Conclusion: Alabama can prosecute sex offenses to the full extent of the law. It … Continue reading →
UK: University launches scheme to rehabilitate sex offenders
Sex offenders will be given support to help find a job and make new friends under a pioneering scheme run … Continue reading →
CNMI: Sex registry’s constitutionality questioned
Northern Mariana Islands – A registered sex offender, whose adult girlfriend is currently pregnant, is questioning the constitutionality of the law … Continue reading →
Conference Call re. Michigan AG Dana Nessel Amicus Briefs
Women Against Registry – Have Questions? We have received many questions since notifying our members of the amicus briefs filed … Continue reading →
CA: Sex Offender Seeks Access to Son’s School to Enhance His Learning
An admitted registered sex offender is suing the Lancaster School District, alleging he is being wrongfully denied access to his … Continue reading →
England: Headteacher banned after ‘she didn’t disclose relationship with sex offender’
[birminghammail.co.uk – 2/6/19] A headteacher has been banned from the country’s classrooms after she failed to disclose her relationship with … Continue reading →
ACSOL Leads Lobby Day 2019 in State Capitol
ACSOL led about 40 registrants, family members and supporters in Lobby Day 2019 in the CA State Capitol. The participants … Continue reading →
Trinidad and Tobago: Senator objects to public naming of sex convicts
[guardian.co.tt – 2/5/19] At least one Independent Senator is not in support of the names of sexual offenders going public. … Continue reading →
Antigua & Barbuda To Implement Sex Offenders’ Registry
[stluciatimes.com – 2/2/19] Antigua Observer:- Residents will soon be alerted when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. Attorney General … Continue reading →
Florida State Senator Lauren Book introduced Senate Bill 540 that includes the establishment of a “Soliciting for Prostitution Registry”
[flsenate.gov – 1/25/19] SB 540: Human Trafficking GENERAL BILL by Book Human Trafficking; Requiring the owner or operator of a … Continue reading →
CA: Appellate Court Rules in Registrant’s Favor in Prop. 57 Case
An appellate court in California ruled today that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) must provide consideration for … Continue reading →
Should we show compassion?
The story of a couple who were found dead inside of a tent at a homeless encampment has led to … Continue reading →
CA: San Diego Federal Judge Denies City’s Motion to Dismiss Challenge to Residency Restrictions
[ACSOL] A federal judge today denied a Motion to Dismiss filed by the City of San Diego that, if granted, … Continue reading →
IA: Bill to Require Continued Registration
… One area I have been working on in past years has to do with requiring sex offenders that have … Continue reading →
Registrants needed for survey: Economic Impact of the Sex Offender Registry (ends March 1)
Below is a request for registrants only to provide researchers with information about economic impacts of the registry. If you … Continue reading →
FL: Comprehensive ‘Florida First Step Act’ Excludes Registrants
Sen. Jeff Brandes is spearheading the state’s criminal justice reform initiative. SB 642 is his 10th justice reform-related bill pre-filed for … Continue reading →
United States v. Moorehead
The FBI accessed Playpen and verified that the website contained child pornography, then executed a search warrant at a North … Continue reading →
Formerly Incarcerated Sex Offenders Say Civil Commitment Programs Deny Proper Rehabilitation
Responding to several highly-publicized sex crimes and public fears, legislatures across the country have adopted statutes that allow the continued … Continue reading →
IL: Court tosses lawsuit in sex-video suicide case
A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed a lawsuit brought against a suburban Chicago school by parents of a student … Continue reading →
South Africa: Call for sex offenders’ list to be made public
[www.iol.co.za – 1/24/19] DURBAN – Child rights organisation Save the Children has launched an online petition calling on Police Minister … Continue reading →
CA: Wiener legislation seeks to end ‘blatant discrimination’ in sex offender registry laws
A new state bill introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, could possibly change the way young offenders, specifically those … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Death of a Registrant: Two Different Perspectives
The recent heart attack and subsequent death of a registrant who attended a “sex offender” treatment group for the past … Continue reading →
HI: Proposal would put tough restrictions on where sex offenders can live
A proposal before lawmakers would make it illegal for any registered sex offender to temporarily or permanently live within 1,000 … Continue reading →
MI: Sex Offender Registry afoul of constitution (Editorial)
Michigan lawmakers seem keen on making important reforms to the state’s criminal justice system, which should expand protections for civil … Continue reading →
New Zealand: Public vilification a factor in Wellington academic sentencing
[stuff.co.nz – 1/28/19] Convicted sex offender ______ likely received a lesser sentence because of the potential “vilification” he would face, … Continue reading →
Civil Regulation? The Registry and its Components are in fact Legislative Punishment
[sosen.org – 1/12/19] The first thing that must be pointed out is that the sex offender registry came about because … Continue reading →
ACLU suit seeks changes to Michigan sex offender registry
Civil rights advocates say Does # 1-6 v. Snyder, No. 16-cv-13137 E.D. Mich. is an example of how thousands of people … Continue reading →
NH: Relief for Some Persons on the NH Sex Offender Registry
Effective June 6, 2016, in New Hampshire, Tier 2 and Tier 3 sex offenders who were convicted before 1992 have … Continue reading →
FL: Women Against Registry Call to Action – Video visits replacing in-person visits.
Seminole County Jail inmates can no longer handle letters or pictures mailed by family and friends as a new system … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Blimey, Who Does Australia’s Fact Checking?
Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs in Australia wants to be the white knight riding in to save his constituents … Continue reading →
SC bill would prohibit sex offenders from working, volunteering around kids
[live5news.com – 1/15/19] MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Right now, registered sex offenders are allowed to work and volunteer around … Continue reading →
‘Untouchable’ Makes the Case for More Lenient Sex Offender Laws in America
A new documentary forwards the argument that our sex-offender laws are based largely on bogus stats and deserve to be … Continue reading →
AUS: Peter Dutton proposes public register of child sex offenders
Child sex offenders could have their names and photos uploaded to a public register in what is being described as … Continue reading →
Untouchable (Film) Available for Streaming on January 15
Untouchable, the award-winning documentary that takes an unflinching look at sex offenders, the laws used to punish them, and the people … Continue reading →
New US Sentencing Commission Report: Mandatory Minimums for Federal Sex Offenses
This publication examines the application of mandatory minimum penalties specific to federal sex offenses; it is the sixth and final … Continue reading →
IL: Man sues state’s attorney, officials for $10M over sex offender registration
A convicted sex offender who claims he was innocent is suing St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly and state … Continue reading →
FL: Miami-Herald: FAC Opinion Published
[floridaactioncommittee.org – 1/4/19. Not available on miamiherald.com] An opinion piece in response to a recent article in the Miami Herald … Continue reading →
OR: Living with a label
For most youth, childhood is a seemingly innocent and simple time, typically full of school work, play time and life … Continue reading →
NARSOL: RIT study is Butner Redux deja vu
[narsol.org – 1/7/19] Michael M . . . A recent study conducted by researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology, … Continue reading →
Civil Rights Attorney to be Keynote Speaker at ACSOL’s Conference on June 14 and June 15
Civil rights attorney Adele Nicholas will be the keynote speaker at ACSOL’s third annual conference to be held on June … Continue reading →
Why Should Feminists Be Against the Sex Offender Registry?
In October, the Supreme Court heard a case that was painfully ironic, considering the Kavanaugh hearings the nation had just … Continue reading →
OK: Some law enforcement worry new, stricter law will discourage sex offenders from registering
A new law that further tightens restrictions on where sex offenders can live has some law enforcement agencies concerned it … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: There’s No Making Sense of Residency and Presence Restrictions
Registrants receive mixed messages when trying to make sense of the registry’s Residency & Presence Regulations. If you haven’t already, … Continue reading →
TX: Ex-Baylor frat president indicted on 4 counts of sex assault won’t go to prison
[cnn.com – 12/11/18] Even though Jacob Walter Anderson was indicted on four counts of sexual assault, the ex-fraternity president won’t … Continue reading →
SCOTUS: Who Gets to Define the Crime?
Agencies have to interpret statutes to carry out the work of the administrative state. But in the hands of federal … Continue reading →
Proposed 2019 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines [open to public comments!]
[ussc.gov – 12/13/19] During a public meeting this morning, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to publish for comment proposed amendments … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: The Registry “Jingles” Away With Your Money
The holidays, a time of giving. But for registrants, that “giving”, goes on all year. Registrants fork over payment for … Continue reading →
WA: Sex offender records request raises safety, First Amendment questions
Attorneys fighting a request to release the names of all level 1 sex offenders in Cowlitz County are making a … Continue reading →
MI: This Proposed Michigan Law Would Treat Parents Who Use Drugs Like Sex Offenders
[filtermag.org – 12/12/18] Sex offender registries and notification laws have proliferated in the name of protecting women and children, despite … Continue reading →
UT: Social work expert disagrees with federal law enforcers about sex offender treatment
[deseretnews.com – 12/15/18] A University of Utah social work professor and therapist disagrees with the state’s top federal law enforcement … Continue reading →
MN: Judge strikes down city ordinance restricting sex offender housing
[startribune.com – 12/18/18] A Hennepin County judge has struck down an ordinance in Dayton, Minn. that restricts where sex offenders … Continue reading →
CT: Commission Considers Changes to State Sex-Offender Registry
Connecticut is steps closer to potentially changing the way the state’s sex-offender registry is managed. The Connecticut Sentencing Commission is … Continue reading →
PA: Superior Court removes Allegheny County judge from sex offender’s resentencing
The state Superior Court, in a rare move Wednesday, ordered Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Donna Jo McDaniel to be … Continue reading →
Kat’s Blog: Lessons Learned
Our family member has been on the registry for a year. I know that in the grand scheme of things, … Continue reading →
Are Sex Offenders Categorically Unworthy Of Rights?
It’s bad enough, both for substantive as well as factual reasons, that the Supreme Court in Smith v. Doe held … Continue reading →
David Comes Out Against Sex Offender Registry [David Pakman Show on YouTube]
[YouTube – 11/4/18] After receiving a question from a viewer last week, David comes out against the sex offender registry. … Continue reading →
OK: Police Oppose New Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
[newson6.com – 11/1/18] Tulsa police say that the new laws will prevent registrants from living in the entire city of … Continue reading →
Group that promotes ‘rational sex offense laws’ says it’ll open Halloween hotline (NARSOL)
A group that says it advocates for ‘rational sexual offense laws’ is organizing a nationwide Halloween hotline and vows to … Continue reading →
CA: Governor Vetoes Eight Sex Offender Bills
Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a total of eight sex offender bills, passed by the state legislature, that could have negatively … Continue reading →
NE: Federal judge pulls stay that kept juveniles off sex offender registry
A federal judge Monday lifted the stay he issued last month that had kept the Nebraska State Patrol from putting … Continue reading →
Discussion: How can registrants make a living?
This is an open discussion where you can share your ideas on how we registrants can find employment in a … Continue reading →
States Can’t Make Up New Laws to Punish Old Conduct Just Because They Call Them “Civil”
Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution provides that “[n]o State shall … pass any … Ex Post Facto law.” … Continue reading →
Bethea v. North Carolina – we hold our breath for the SCOTUS decision to review
For those affected by a public registry, all eyes and ears on focused on the US Supreme Court right now. … Continue reading →
Guy Hamilton-Smith on Sex Offender Registration & Social Media
In this episode, Guy Hamilton-Smith, Legal Fellow at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource … Continue reading →
FL: Ex Post Facto Lawsuit Filed (FAC)
A lawsuit was filed in Federal Court challenging the Florida Sex Offender registry. The suit is a facial challenge, filed … Continue reading →
‘There was a lot of shame’: meet the sex offender ‘who is not a sex offender’
What happens when people convicted of nonsexual crimes are labeled as “sex offenders”? A man in New York state is … Continue reading →
CA: When Handing Out Candy To Trick-or-Treaters Means Risking Arrest
[theappeal.org – 10/1/18] Lawyer [Janice M. Bellucci] seeks end to Halloween restrictions that target people convicted of sex offenses. Before … Continue reading →
Inmates in Pennsylvania launch boycott of prison profiteers
[workers.org – 9/27/18] “I am going to boycott the third-party correspondence system,” Bryant Arroyo, an activist and organizer currently detained … Continue reading →
NY: Banished from New York City : The Legality, Policy Considerations, and Practical Implications of the Housing Restrictions Faced by People on the Sex Offender Registry
[nycbar.org – 9/11/18] In New York City, there are hundreds of men and women on the sex offender registry who … Continue reading →
India gets a sex offenders registry. What’s that?
[indiatoday.in – 9/13/21] India’s new National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO), a resource only law enforcement authorities can access, has … Continue reading →
MI: Does v. Snyder brings changes to state’s Sex Offender Registration Law
Six people who filed a lawsuit against the State of Michigan, challenging the constitutionality of its Sex Offender Registration Act … Continue reading →
TX: Something Is Wrong with the Sex Offender Registry, and Deregistration Is the Only Tool We Have to Fix It
Something is wrong with the sex offender registry. It is not working the way it was intended to work. Worse, … Continue reading →
Living with 290: Not above the law
No one is above the law. Punish me for the crimes I committed, but obey the law yourselves in doing … Continue reading →
Living with 290: No More use of the term “Sex Offender”
I would like to ask and insist that we all stop, that is STOP using the words “sex offender.” It’s … Continue reading →
The polygraph as applied: Are we focusing on technology at the expense of everything else that works?
[sajrt.blogspot.com – 8/22/18] By David S. Prescott, LICSW, Kieran McCartan, Ph.D., &Alissa Ackerman, Ph.D. Nothing divides the professional and academic … Continue reading →
Registration Influenced by Racial Bias, Ohio Study Claims
The classification of sex offenders based on the risks they pose to the community following their release from prison is … Continue reading →
On America’s Civil Death Penalty: The Sexual Offense Registry
“If America had a civil death penalty, putting people on sex registries would be it.”
Continue reading →NY: Couple raises concerns about 5 sex offenders living in nearby home
[news12.com – 8/4/18]SHIRLEY – A Shirley couple says five sex offenders are living together in their community nearly 80 feet … Continue reading →
NJ: Court Stops Retroactive Application of Lifetime Registration Law
An appellate court in New Jersey has ruled that the state government cannot retroactively apply a new law that requires … Continue reading →
WA: Judges Denies Lakewood’s Request To Stop Sex Offender Relocation
[patch.com – 8/6/18]LAKEWOOD, WA – A Pierce County judge has denied Lakewood’s request to stop the transfer of three sex … Continue reading →
NC: Court Determines GPS Tracking Devices Unconstitutional
The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the state government’s requirement that registrants wear a GPS tracking device … Continue reading →
MA: Court Recognizes Harm to Registrants, Rules in Their Favor
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Council, the state’s supreme court, has ruled in favor of registrants who were trying either to … Continue reading →
KS: Salina art organization directors resign amid concern over sex offender volunteer
[kake.com – 8/3/18]SALINA, Kan. (KAKE) – The SPARK Artist Resource Exchange was supposed to be an organization of artists who … Continue reading →
CA: Scammers Target Los Angeles Registrants, Families
Scammers, who often pose on the phone as law enforcement officials, are threatening registrants with arrest and demanding immediate payment … Continue reading →
Case Spotlight: International Travel Notification
In 2011, the Supplemental Guidelines for Sex Offender Registration and Notification officially included in SORNA’s standards the obligation that jurisdictions … Continue reading →
CA: Did California Authorities Suppress Research on Sexually Violent Predators?
[thecrimereport.org – 8/3/18]State laws that allow sexually violent predators to be locked up even after they have served their sentences … Continue reading →
HI: Dozens of sex predators registered as living in Oahu parks
Hawaii’s sex offender registry is meant to keep people safe by requiring convicted sex criminals to submit their address to an … Continue reading →
OH: Springfield Township man claims Ohio’s sex offender parole law won’t allow visits with son
A Springfield Township man filed a federal lawsuit challenging Ohio’s sex offender parole law as unconstitutional because it forbids him … Continue reading →
NY: Critics say pardons will give sex offenders access to schools
[timesunion.com – 7/24/18]ALBANY — Schools are generally off-limits for sex offenders, but not when it comes time to vote. A … Continue reading →
MD: State funding to go toward ensuring sex offender compliance
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office will soon receive over $24,000 from the state to help enforce Maryland sex offender registry … Continue reading →
MO: SB655 changes Missouri’s sex offender list
A lot of people have been talking about how Senate Bill 655 adjusts how old one must be to get … Continue reading →
ICE arrests 2K child predators, skit compares it to ISIS
[onenewsnow.com – 7/23/18]After comedian Michelle Wolf compared the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Islamic terrorist group … Continue reading →
MA: Court: Board needs proof in sex offender reclassification
[thesunchronicle.com – 8/1/18] BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board has the burden of proof when determining whether … Continue reading →
Recommended Movies to Watch
When the most powerful lobbyist in Florida discovers that the nanny has sexually abused his daughter, he harnesses his extraordinary political power to pass the toughest sex offender laws in the nation. UNTOUCHABLE chronicles his crusade, and its impact on the lives of those forced to live under the laws he has championed. The film interweaves intimate portraits of men and women branded sex offenders with the heartbreaking stories of those who have suffered sexual abuse. Through surprising revelations, the film defies expectations and challenges assumptions about danger, sexual abuse and the strategies we’ve employed to keep our children safe.