News & Updates

The City of Brookfield, Wisconsin amended its Sex Offender Residency Restriction (SORR) after another city’s SORR was declared unconstitutional. Others are implementing their own SORR. These decisions have nothing to do with public safety! They are made for political reasons. Brookfield’s city attorney said the change would “protect the city from future lawsuits.” So they loosened it. The city of

In Archie v. State, a case decided last week in Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeals, we are reminded that probation violations (unlike registration violations) need to be willful and substantial. Archie, who was on sex offender probation, was violated for (among other things) traveling outside his county without the approval of his probation officer. Although he was wearing a

The following was circulated to all affiliates by Cindy at NARSOL. I think it’s a very useful message. When dealing with others, you might want to suggest they re-phrase their labels. Hello friends, I’m sharing the following text and link with you on person first language.  I don’t know how quickly this change will occur however I tell you it

Michigan lawmakers seem keen on making important reforms to the state’s criminal justice system, which should expand protections for civil liberties. Another item they should add to the list: Revamping the state’s Sex Offender Registry Act. The changes are overdue, especially since a federal appeals court decision in 2016 found several aspects of Michigan’s law were unconstitutional. Now the impetus

Hawaii, like Arkansas, is considering imposing a residency restriction on persons required to register as sex offenders. According to a news report, the proposal before lawmakers would make it illegal for any registered sex offender to temporarily or permanently live within 1,000 feet of a school, childcare facility, playground or park. The bill is introduced by Rep. Scott Nishimoto, but

Sen. Trent Garner, of Arkansas, sponsored Senate Bill 10, which would make it a class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, for a level 3 or 4 sex offender to give candy to a minor or wear a mask or costume around a minor at any “Halloween-related” event. More ridiculous than the bill (which ignores all