Reforming Florida’s Sex Offender Registry Laws
FAC encourages everyone to watch the archive video of oral argument before the Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Smith, a case that highlights the often absurd realities of registration compliance. The State alleges that Mr. Smith violated the registration statute by failing to report his “place of employment.” The problem? He worked for a cleaning company that assigned employees
Read moreThe South Carolina Supreme Court elaborated on those problems in its opinion, which was written by Chief Justice John Kittredge and joined by the court’s four other members. Although PPG has been used for decades, Kittredge noted, there remains a “significant schism in the scientific community” regarding whether it works as advertised. “Some experts have focused on the high rate…of
Read moreAt sentencing, most people convicted of a sexual offense are ordered to participate in therapy as a condition of release. In many jurisdictions, the therapist is not chosen by the individual, nor by any careful assessment of therapeutic compatibility. Instead, treatment providers are often selected through government contracts, with probation offices referring participants to whichever program was the lowest bidder.
Read moreIn 2018, the United States Supreme Court found itself at the center of a cultural firestorm. A Colorado baker had declined to create a custom wedding cake for a same-sex couple, citing his religious beliefs. The case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, was watched closely across the nation. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor
Read moreA registered sex offender in Allegan County said he could not stay silent about the strangers who showed up at his home early Sunday morning. “I thought, ‘You know what? I’m gonna reach out to you guys because … if I don’t do something, (what if) somebody else loses their life because I didn’t take action?’ the husband and father
Read moreWhen Florida added “public swimming pools” to its growing list of restricted locations we warned it would create a domino effect. History shows that once a new registry restriction is adopted in one state, it often spreads elsewhere. That appears to be happening now. This week, the City Council of Lufkin, Texas approved a new residency restriction ordinance creating “child
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