HARRISBURG, PA â October 28, 2025 â The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL) Advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda today to mark thirty years since the enactment of Pennsylvaniaâs Meganâs Law and to call for modernization of the stateâs sexual offense laws which were signed into law by then- Governor Tom Ridge on October 21, 1995. âOur…
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Pennsylvania Fearless: A Lifeline for Those Navigating Life on the Registry
âHi, Iâm Ashley, a person forced to register and I know all too well how isolating and overwhelming this journey can feel.â â I have the privilege of facilitating Fearless, a support group that has changed my life and the lives of so many others. Like most of the people who attend, Society has a way of making us feel…
Read MoreSuperior Court Upholds “Three Strike” Rule – Lifetime Imprisonment for Repeat Offenders
The Pennsylvania Superior Court’s recent (21 Mar 2025) decision in Commonwealth v. Davis (No. 1038 MDA 2023) presents a complex legal issue regarding the constitutionality of mandatory life sentences for repeat offenders convicted of distributing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Background Joseph J. Davis was convicted of two counts each of sexual abuse of children (distribution of child sexual abuse…
Read MoreThe Problematic Reality of Lifetime Registration Under Pennsylvaniaâs SORNA
Pennsylvaniaâs âSexual Offenderâ Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) was designed to enhance public safety by tracking individuals convicted of sexual offenses. However, an analysis of the current registry data reveals a troubling reality: more than half of the stateâs Persons Forced to Register (PFRs) are on the list for life. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness, fairness, and consequences…
Read MoreCourts Update: SCOPA Clarifies Mens Rea Requirements in SORNA Registration Cases
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…
Read MoreA New Yearâs Resolution: Managing Stigma as a PFR
Itâs a new year! Many of us make New Yearâs 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)? Whatâs something deeply personal for you to work on? Living with the label of “registered…
Read MoreOP/ED: Vigilantism and the Sex Offender Registry
The following Opinion/Editorial appeared in the December 20, 2024 issue of MerionWest. Portez Smith arrived outside Jesse Groverâs Pennsylvania duplex early on Sunday, November 17th of this year, yelling through the closed door, âGrover, youâre a fâing pedophile.â When Grover opened the door, Smith pulled out a gun and shot him to death. Grover was registered on Pennsylvaniaâs sex offender…
Read MorePanel Discussion Recap: Registry, Reentry, Restoration
Reentry into society after incarceration is a journey fraught with obstacles. For individuals forced to register on the Pennsylvania Meganâs 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…
Read MoreBREAKING NEWS: PARSOL Condemns the Tragic Killing of Jesse Grover, Victim of the Public âSex Offenderâ Registry
For Immediate Release November 22, 2024 â The Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL.org) mourns the tragic and senseless death of Jesse Michael Grover, a 31-year-old resident of Sharon, Pennsylvania, whose inclusion on the public âsex offenderâ registry for an offense more than ten years ago, appears to have made him a target for gun violence. Jesse was…
Read MoreDomestic Travel On the Registry Challenges
Involvement with the legal system in the United States can be a traumatizing experience. For those who have been found guilty of crimes of a sexual nature, this process almost always results in a massive upheaval of what is considered normal. The dread of what is going to play out in the courts, the shame of exposure, and the remorse…
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