CALL TO ACTION – Email List for Florida Legislators

40 thoughts on “CALL TO ACTION – Email List for Florida Legislators”

• Karen

  March 4, 2018

  Could I get some input? Too long? Did I get any thing incorrect?

  Greetings

  I am writing to emphatically request you vote NO on Senate Bill 1226. This proposed legislation is wrong on so many levels. First and foremost, it is not based on empirical evidence that is widely available from numerous studies about Sex Offenders and Predators. They are a group of citizens that are the 2nd least likely to re-commit their crime or any crime (second only to murder). In addition, data has shown over and over that proximity is not a factor in sexual crimes. Also, most sexual crimes are committed by those not identified on the registry. Therefore, this law and the registry does absolutely nothing to prevent sexual crimes (proven by empirical evidence).

  Moreover, this proposed legislation imposes more impossible hurdles for formerly sanctioned adults to live their lives and remain productive members of society. Certainly, it is another punishment added to numerous others which not only endanger the Registered Citizen but also their families (including their children). It would effectively hinder travel to Florida by Registered Citizens from other states (even those no longer on the registry in their jurisdiction!). Each time a registered citizen must report a temporary residence change they must report to the sheriff office AND change their ID card! So, in 3 days’ time this legislation would require no less than 2 ID card changes and 2 visits to the sheriff office. The cost to the registered citizen is bad enough but the cost in extra man power to the state is also substantial. The law already requires a 5 day window which is already taxing on all involved. I ask you, will shortening that window by 2 days actually prevent any crime? Will it keep anyone safer? The answer is no it will not! Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that registered citizens coming in as tourists will be able to have proper notification of these requirements in a such a short period of time and it does not allow FL Registered Citizens to even visit family or friends without added stress and sanctions being imposed It does not appear that that this Bill was crafted due to violations of any type but instead just to push through more “feel good” sex offender legislation. Enough is Enough!

  To address the other portion of this Bill that requires MANDATORY minimum periods of GPS monitoring for all technical registration violations. Frankly, this is absurd. It is an imposed punishment on those who have already served their sentence adjudicated by the FL or Federal court. The punishment would be because of a technical violation of which there could be many because of the growing number of sanctions on Registered Citizens. Technical violations are NOT new sexual crimes. While other states across our Nation are realizing that these laws have gotten out of hand and Federal judges are finding many of them unconstitutional the State of Florida wants to keep piling them on. GPS monitoring is expensive – not only for the wearer of the monitor but also for the State. My question would be who is going to monitor these citizens? You cannot impose probation for a violation of these technical laws unless it is a punishment adjudicated by a judge – in case you have forgotten that is called due process. Due process is based on the understanding that ALL are presumed innocent until proven guilty. GPS monitoring is a form of incarceration and the proposal to enforce this for a technical violation is inherently unconstitutional.

  As these laws governing Registered Citizens continue to become more numerous it is clear that the State of Florida considers these individuals as inconsequential– a group of people that can be ostracized, bullied, and abused because they are no longer considered worthy in the eyes of the State. I am here to inform you otherwise – not only do Registered Citizens have those who love them and many friends that know the truth but the clear majority of them pay taxes – their family members and friends pay taxes – their family and friends are voters. Moreover, it has already been decided by a Federal judge that the State of Florida cannot pick and choose to whom they restore the right to vote – it must be none or all – it is likely that all Registered Citizens will get that right restored.

  Again, I implore you to vote NO on Senate Bill 1226.

  Reply
  • Tired

    March 4, 2018

    Karen,
    I used your entire message. It was right on. Hope you don’t mind that I plagiarized you. Sent this to all state representatives.
    Lets all hope enough read it and are at least moved just a little bit.
    What’s the old saying:
    Keep on keeping on.

    Reply
    • Karen

      March 5, 2018

      On the contrary – I am flattered!

      Reply
    • steve

      March 5, 2018

      in your post you mention persons not on the registry in another state would be affected. how so? if you don’t have to register you are free to travel anywhere, right? no 21 days, nothing. if you are going by conviction and not registration how is that legal.

      Reply
      • Karen

        March 6, 2018

        Florida law states that if you enter FL and were convicted of a registerable offense in another state (regardless of your status in that State) you must register in FL (which is life for everyone) – in fact, most states are the same – unbelievable I know! First time I heard that I was appalled but it is true. Most people say if you are off the registry in one state don’t leave (or make sure you know the registration laws where you are going) – how is it legal? You tell me! How are any of these inane laws legal…

        Reply
        • Anonymous

          March 6, 2018

          I am looking for some information in regards to registry in Utah. It appears Some charges are not registrable charges. For example Sex Battery is defined to include a grope charge. It also is considered a misdemeanor and requires (4) counts to be a registrable offense. So if you moved from another state and your charge fits the definition in Utah’s code for Battery or even attempted s Battery (attempt might be even lower) and its 1ct not 4 would you still need to register? I read it as no. Also if you had a registrable charge would you be able to be removed after the 10 year rule even if the state you are coming from doesn’t have that. If Utah didn’t require registration and or you had been removed after 10 years are you still stuck under SORNA to register ?. If you didn’t have to register and or completed the 10 years and moved in the future to yet a different state would you be forced back to register? I am very interested in any feedback. Thanks

        • Josh

          March 6, 2018

          We’ll see if we made a dent in two days…I think the senate will vote on Thursday as far as I can see…praying for a miracle! As somebody watching from out of state I can only hope that there’s as much turmoil over SB 1226 as the gun bill that just got passed…..realistically expecting a unanimous “yes” vote however…it will be a horrible injustice for those who have to live and adjust to these new sanctions

        • sarah

          March 8, 2018

          Was this voted on today?

        • Hawkeye

          March 9, 2018

          They adopted HB 1301 with two amendments and placed it on today’s calendar for third reading and a vote in the Senste. The House passed it 112 to 0.