11th Circuit upholds notification of registrants status to clients.
It’s hard enough finding and keeping a job as a registrant, even when you don’t have to advertise it. Sure, you have to live with the dread that a customer or co-worker will google your name or the other employees will gossip about you behind your back, but at least you have the opportunity to try to feed your family.
The 11th Circuit just dealt a bit of a blow to that opportunity in a case decided last week, U.S. v. Cordero.
Unable to find work, Cordero (who was convicted of a CP offense in 2006) began a business installing home security and automation systems. One of the conditions of his probation (a standard condition) is that ““[a]s directed by the probation officer, the defendant shall notify third parties of risks that may be occasioned by the defendant’s criminal record or personal history or characteristics, and shall permit the probation officer to make such notifications and to confirm the defendant’s compliance with such notification requirement.”
Cordero’s PO expected him to disclose his sex offender status to every new prospective client and the probation department suggested they would confirm he did! Cordero argued that if he had to do that he’d lose more jobs than he’d find (I don’t even think that necessitates an argument, it kinda goes without saying).
Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve not walked up to a counter and been asked, “would you like fries with that, and by the way do you mind if I’m on the sex offender registry?”” Maybe that’s a common requirement and I’ve just never heard it because people on the registry can’t get jobs. It just seems very harsh to me.
I can see the logic of making your employer aware. Not only for the public safety concern (if there were one), but you don’t want to misspend anyone’s time or training and you don’t want to ambush your boss with that news at an unexpected moment, but having to tell customers?!?!
Part of me wants to hope that Cordero’s situation was more so because of his job (installing security equipment), I just wish the case didn’t create an appellate court precedent that it’s OK to require a probationer disclose status.
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Nor should you be required to tell your land lord oh or the bank teller or cashier at the store but our license does this. Its all about shaming us and hoping a violent but job will see it and do us harm
This is horrible!!! I at the risk of sounding like a scam do provide a unique job opportunity and it can be used to fight back against the registry. Contact Florida Action Committee (FAC) for more information if interested. Together we can make a difference! Chaplain Rob
PRO SE APPEALS CREATE BAD PRECEDENT.
If his offense was from 2006 ,why does he still have a probation officer? Is this just a probation requirement or does it carry through to the registry also?
I’ve never heard of such requirements in probation or registry.
A probation requirement.
Prison time? Some judges are giving 20 years SO probation.
Like I’ve said before, we should all band together and petition for 100% disability. The state doesn’t want us to be able to work and hamstrings us at every corner. We are unable to work. Our disability? We are on the registry. Until the state comes up with a “cure”, we should be collecting our monthly check
Of course, the dishonorable Lauren Book will introduce legislation that registered citizens cannot collect disability or other welfare support such as food stamps. She can’t help it, it’s who she is and until she seeks therapy for her issues, she’ll just keep going.