ACSOL: Legal Scholars to Consider Elimination of Public Registry Next Week
Members of the American Law Institute (ALI), the most important and prestigious organization of legal scholars and prominent attorneys in the nation, will consider a proposal next week that could significantly change the nation’s sex offender laws. The most significant of those changes would be the elimination of public registries in all 50 state. The proposal also includes, but is not limited to, recommendations to abolish all public notification laws as well as most residency restrictions, internet restrictions and GPS location monitoring.
Those who oppose the proposal include journalist William Dobbs because he believes the ALI proposal does not go far enough. Instead of restricting the registry only to law enforcement officials, Dobbs advocates the total elimination of all sex offender registries.
[FAC NOTE: We agree with Dobbs – the registry needs to be abolished in it’s entirety.]
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Alaska is the only state that holds true to the state constitution as to not permit retro active registration , nor do they recognize Sorna.
So no news? I cant find anything on the institutes website
Has a decision been made as of yet? Any update or news? We’ve been anxiously awaiting the results since we read about this last week.
I have looked at the American Law Institute website today, but saw no reference to changing sex offender registries. Their meetings were June 7th and 8th. Guess we will have to wait to see if they submit any proposals. But remember that they only make suggestions regarding laws. Always in the hands of legislators.
Manny F:
ALI came down big time on the side of registrants. They didn’t recommend the end of registries but sure wants them restricted.
ALI is probably the single largest organization as far as impact on state laws.
This was a huge win for registrants and could start to turn the tide.
Expect this to start serious debate in several state legislatures in the coming years.
This is fantastic news!!!!
Is there a link or somewhere we can read what their recommendation is? I am curious to know exactly what they have determined regarding the registry, because along with the decision made by the South Carolina Supreme Court, maybe some of us wouldn’t have to wait years for new legislation to be written. Maybe we can just take matters into our own hands and petition the courts for removal. I mean this is case law now in SC so that means it wouldn’t be an unprecedented attempt at removal based on their (SC) findings.
Manny F, the “Source” link for the story will lead to a download pdf for their entire draft suggestions. Many pages long. However, you will also see that the DOJ vigorously opposes the draft. And since the sex offender registry is one of the most politicized legal issues EVER, it is far too early to get excited about it. For example, I live in Michigan. The Legislature just rewrote the registry law here, but left it virtually as onerous as the old law, despite the fact that Michigan’s Attorney General believes that the registry should be abolished. The proposed draft doesn’t carry the force of law. It is mostly an attempt to stop the practice of shaming and over punishing those convicted of a sex based crime. But with politicians stoking paranoia with false recidivism claims, too many people want to continue branding sex offenders. The tough on crime zealots are in control in too many states now. Don’t expect any change to happen quickly.
Gerald
I would say that illegal immigrants is either first or a close second. A lot more people care about or do not care about illegal aliens. Neither side really wants anything to do with sex offenses though.
Many in the U.S welcome the immigrants, especially farmers who can pay low wages and no benefits and not get a complaint from anyone.
Cherokeejack, you are spot on. Both issues involve the need for some people to look down on others as inferior, either because of race or nationality or even past mistakes. It’s a way for people to hate in a socially acceptable manner. Very sad. Leads to violence against others far too often.