Reforming Florida’s Sex Offender Registry Laws
Weekly Update 2017-05-16 Dear Members and Advocates, In 2003, the Sex Offender Registry was determined by the Supreme Court of the United States, in Smith v. Doe, to be “non-punitive”. That means it’s not punishment and has further been described to be “civil” and “remedial”. But where else can you find sanctions for violating a civil statute so severe? Generally,
Read morePALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – “Ok cool, can we make love in the shower?” “Can we use cooking oil for lube? I heard that works too.” “What happens is up to us, we own our own destiny.” Real messages, sent from middle aged men in Okeechobee and St. Lucie County to police officers posing as 15- year-old girls. The two
Read moreHigh-priced ‘junk science’ in Colorado: A Denver Post investigative reporter, Christopher Osher, has a very interesting and detailed report about Colorado’s “aggressive” use of polygraph tests on persons convicted of sex offenses. Considered unreliable *junk science,* the results nonetheless help determine the fate of those subjected to the tests. Colorado is not alone; an estimated 70% of states are using
Read moreSessions’ office releases memo to all 94 US attorneys calling for reversal of Holder-era policy Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ office sent out a letter late Thursday to the nation’s federal prosecutors instructing them to pursue the most serious charges possible against most criminal suspects. The move will send more people to prison and for much longer terms by triggering mandatory
Read moreA screening of the documentary, Untouchable, will take place at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the Portico in Tampa. 1001 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL, 813.254.5139 We encourage everyone in the area to set a reminder to go see the film. Please feel free to invite friends, family and whomever you feel would benefit from seeing this great
Read moreSouth Carolina’s Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a law imposing *lifetime* registration and electronic monitoring on juveniles for some sex offenses. The Associated Press has the details in a short article, below. In a longer story reporting reaction to the ruling, Charleston’s Post and Courier found an “outcry” from researchers and lawyers. Doug Berman chimes in with legal
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