Reforming Florida’s Sex Offender Registry Laws
I must admit, when I saw the title, “Stop Predator Dumping Act,” I got hopeful. Someone might finally want to put safeguards in place to prevent “dumping on” people forced to register. Stop the vigilantism! Stop the shaming! And stop treating human beings like hazardous waste! But I was wrong. U.S. Congressman George Whitesides (CA) is proposing legislation to address
Read moreFAC retained Dr. Kelly Socia as one of our experts in our recently filed lawsuit challenging (among other things) Florida’s sex offender residency and proximity restrictions. Dr. Socia is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies and a Fellow for the Center for Public Opinion at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He is the author of 50+
Read moreThere’s a an interesting new study published in the International Review of Victimology that takes a closer look at an assumption that has shaped sex-offender policy for decades: that public registries exist because victims and survivors want them. The study, performed by Kelly Richards of Queensland University of Technology in Australia came to a surprising conclusion. The participants’ views were
Read moreWeekly update for August 25, 2026. This is recording number 388. Dear Members and Advocates, There’s nothing quite like being involved in significant litigation. It’s exciting, gratifying, and to be honest – more than a little stressful. So, here’s where things stand: The wheels of litigation are turning. So far, 10 defendants have been formally served, 7 have agreed to
Read moreHere’s a good decision from the Kansas Supreme Court that touches on a question many of us have been asking about… these registration fees. What happens if you can’t afford them? [NOTE: This is Kansas, not Florida, but still a good indication of how judges might think.] In State v. Sims (August 14, 2026), the Kansas Supreme Court unanimously reversed
Read moreThe North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a disappointing decision earlier this month concerning the ability of people on the sex offender registry to seek removal. In State v. Lingerfelt (August 14, 2026), the Court held that a person who fails to appeal an earlier determination of their federal SORNA tier cannot later challenge that determination in a subsequent petition
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