The Pennsylvania Supreme Court (SCOPA) recently addressed a critical legal question in the case of Commonwealth v. Roberts, 16 WAP 2023, examining the mens rea requirements for registration violations. Mens rea, meaning “guilty mind” in Latin, refers to the mental state or intent a defendant must have while committing a crime to be held criminally liable. It distinguishes intentional or…
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One of the Pennsylvnia Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL)’s top priorities is to ensure our communities and leaders recognize that sexual harm is a preventable public health issue, a significant paradigm shift from society’s predisposed criminal justice response. In support of this priority, PARSOL staff and key volunteers attend relevant conferences and workshops. On June 25-26, 2024, PARSOL…
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Book Club Event Details Get the Book About the Book Good Omens meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in Ryka Aoki’s Light From Uncommon Stars, a defiantly joyful adventure set in California’s San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts. Hugo Award FinalistA National BestsellerIndie Next PickNew York Public Library Top 10 Book of…
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It’s a new year! Many of us make New Year’s resolutions like a healthy diet, going to the gym, catching up with friends and family members, and financial goals to improve our lifestyles. Those are great resolutions, but what about persons forced to register (PFRs)? What’s something deeply personal for you to work on? Living with the label of “registered…
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The following Opinion/Editorial appeared in the December 20, 2024 issue of MerionWest. Portez Smith arrived outside Jesse Grover’s Pennsylvania duplex early on Sunday, November 17th of this year, yelling through the closed door, “Grover, you’re a f—ing pedophile.” When Grover opened the door, Smith pulled out a gun and shot him to death. Grover was registered on Pennsylvania’s sex offender…
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Harrisburg, PA – 12/11/24—The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL) strongly opposes the proposal by Fayette County State Representative Ryan Warner to introduce legislation permitting the death penalty for individuals convicted of child sexual abuse. While protecting children is a paramount concern, this measure raises profound ethical and legal issues that cannot be ignored. PA RESIDENTS: Click Here…
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Reentry into society after incarceration is a journey fraught with obstacles. For individuals forced to register on the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law registry, these challenges become even more formidable as stigma and restrictive policies compound the difficulties of finding housing, employment, and acceptance. At a recent panel discussion, experts, advocates, and justice-impacted individuals convened to discuss the path forward, sharing insights…
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At the heart of the 2024 PARSOL Fall Conference’s opening plenary, Pennsylvania Executive Deputy Attorney General Robert Reed, Esq. delivered an impassioned address centered on justice, empathy, and systemic reform. This keynote captured the challenges marginalized individuals face and proposed transformative strategies to create trauma-informed systems that honor humanity. Reed’s presentation illuminated the path toward a compassionate and equitable society…
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