When Evidence Matters: Canada’s Insight on Lifetime Registration

In a recent decision examining Canada’s sex offender registry framework, an Ontario judge did something remarkably simple — he asked for proof. Specifically, he looked for concrete examples showing that the registry had actually helped police solve time-sensitive crimes in the 25 years since its creation. And what did he find? Nothing. “No example was provided of the registry assisting

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CA: From Public Service to Public Ban? Fresno’s Plan Could Shut the Doors of City Hall on All Registrants

It’s hard to believe how far Fresno has drifted from common sense to outright overreach with its latest plan to block a community member from public service. City leaders are now pushing a proposed ordinance aimed specifically at preventing a registered sex offender from entering city buildings like City Hall, police and fire stations. Let’s be clear: protecting children and

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Register your vote: Should a registrant be allowed to run for political office?

There’s an important public conversation taking place right now about who should be eligible to run for public office, and we believe our community’s voice deserves to be part of it. A local news outlet is conducting a public poll asking whether someone who is a registered sex offender should be allowed to run for public office. Regardless of where

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Bill introduced to Expand Death Penalty for Child Rapists

A new federal proposal introduced by Republican Representative Nancy Mace would authorize the death penalty for child sexual offenses, including rape of a minor and abusive sexual contact against children, and extend that punishment into the military justice system. Currently, imposing capital punishment for non-homicide crimes violates the Eighth Amendment under established Supreme Court precedent (Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008)), meaning

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CA: Ballot Box or Ban? Fresno’s Proposed Candidate Restriction on Sex Offenders Raises Questions About Voter Choice

In Fresno, California, a sitting councilmember, Annalisa Perea, announced plans to introduce a new ordinance that would bar registered sex offenders from running for city council. She made this announcement after learning that a resident who is on the state’s sex-offender registry is preparing a campaign for the District 7 seat in the upcoming June election. Under current California law,

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MI: Vague, Overbroad, and Unconstitutional: Michigan’s Registry “Employment Prohibition” Bill Goes Too Far.

Civil liberties advocates are taking issue with new legislation in Michigan that would prohibit anyone on the sex offender registry from working at businesses that “primarily serve” minors. Supporters frame House Bills 5425 and 5426 as common sense protections for children. But opponents argue the proposal is not only overbroad, but unconstitutionally vague. At the center of the concern is

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