Clarification to our suggestion of adopting SORNA tiers
On March 11th we posted an opinion piece suggesting that Florida should adopt SORNAs Tier system. The post generated some controversy and confusion, so a clarification is warranted.
The Florida Action Committee (FAC) remains steadfast in its mission to abolish the sex offender registry entirely. However, while working toward this ultimate goal, FAC recognizes the need to advocate for incremental reforms that can alleviate some of the harms caused by the current system. One such reform is adopting the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) tiered system in Florida, replacing the state’s current lifetime registration requirement for all offenders.
To be absolutely clear: FAC’s core mission is to abolish the sex offender registry, which we believe is inherently flawed, punitive, and counterproductive. The registry perpetuates stigma, hinders rehabilitation, and fails to enhance public safety. However, until the federal SORNA is repealed—a necessary prerequisite for eliminating the registry altogether—FAC supports pragmatic, incremental changes that can mitigate the harms of the current system.
Florida’s one-size-fits-all approach mandates lifetime registration for all individuals on the registry, regardless of the severity of their offense or their risk of reoffending. This policy creates permanent barriers to housing, employment, and reintegration into society.
The federal SORNA system uses a three-tiered classification to categorize offenders based on their perceived risk level:
– Tier I: Low-risk offenders, are typically required to register for 15 years.
– Tier II: Moderate-risk offenders, are required to register for 25 years.
– Tier III: High-risk offenders, are subject to lifetime registration.
Adopting this tiered system in Florida would be a significant improvement over the current lifetime registration requirement. It would allow some individuals to eventually move on with their lives.
FAC’s advocacy for SORNA tiers is not a deviation from its mission but a strategic step toward achieving it. Until SORNA is repealed at the federal level, eliminating Florida’s registry would be a hollow victory, as federal requirements would still apply. By suggesting a tiered system, FAC aims to create a better framework within the existing legal constraints.
Rest assured that FAC remains committed to its mission of abolishing the sex offender registry. However, in the interim, we support practical reforms like adopting SORNA tiers to mitigate the harms of the current system. This incremental approach allows us to address some of the immediate injustices while continuing to fight for the broader systemic change we believe is necessary.
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Please NEVER make the same mistake a certain other west coast advocacy group did in promoting a tiered registry. They claimed a tiered registry protects the public! And they did get a tiered registry but CP offenses are now Tier 3 offenses and ineligble for removal from the registry.
The problem with promoting a tiered registry is:
1. You’re advocating FR a registry.
2. You’re going to have to decide who should be thrown under the bus to get a precious few folks off the registry.
I’d never advocat for ANY registry and I’d only sayacknowledge that a three-tiereds registry is an improvement over FloriDUH’s current scheme, though abolishment of the registry is still far superior to a tier system.
I’d onlynever settle for anything short of abolirion very, very reluctantly, and make it clear this does NOT go far enough.
I, for one, would love to see a tiered system where Tier 1 PFR’s are automatically removed after 10 years. I don’t see SORNA going away until there is a 50-60% turnover at the supreme court.
Well, lets see what happens. The only one left on the Supreme Court is Justice Thomas who had Justice Souters rose covered glasses to not see it is a punishment in 2003 with Smith v. Doe. With this hidden evidence of information I have uncovered in my case, it could have or more like would have changed the outcome of their ruling back then showing it’s a punishment Justice Souter tried to hide. We have this firepower today that could very well overturn it all and they know it. I just want to use it wisely for all people. I’m sure some in LE here know that it’s about to hit the fan. Just going into hell without representation or support is not the way I had expected, but I got the old man behind me. Facts don’t lie but they sure did to try an cover it up. It will be an interesting week, Stay tuned, I will keep FAC and NARSOL informed. But damn, they are gonna do it again to me in the media all over the world because they will fear me. I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing this for you. I always said, God sends me to clean up his dirty work. Why do they have to lie to punish people they hate?
Yes, we need to pursue this, it is a big step in the pursuit of given us a second chance in life. Everyone deserves a second chance in life. To be punished for the rest of lives and our families’ lives is nothing but punishment and the Tier system gives us an opportunity to give some an out for minor offenses. I totally agree we should abolish all requirements. We need to proceed in phases toward true justice.
Yes be very careful about Tiers…I was convicted in Flori-DUH and moved to another jurisdiction
When I arrived they immediately assigned me to Tier One
After 10 years violation free you can get removed…I have petitioned but the Jurisdiction never created an evaluation committee per numerical codified statutory language (it has been 2 years with no response; I won’t pay $5K to an attorney for this nonsense…..I have two years left) Once again, Jurisprudence is based on the Size of Your Wallet
The Bigger your wallet the faster you can change things; to a point!