FAC Urges Ohio Supreme Court to Consider Real-World Employment Registration Challenges
Yesterday, we watched oral arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Smith, a case that highlights the often-impossible realities of registry compliance. The State’s position suggests that a person working for a cleaning company, landscaping service, construction crew, or similar would be required to report, in person at the sheriff’s office, every location where they are sent to work. We were deeply troubled by the arguments advanced and by the apparent disconnect between legal theory and the realities faced by people trying to maintain employment while complying with registration requirements.
In response, FAC has sent the following letter to the Ohio Supreme Court and members of the Ohio General Assembly. This is not a legal brief. Rather, it is an effort to explain the real-world consequences of interpretations that make lawful employment impossible and compliance more difficult, ultimately undermining the very public-safety goals these laws are intended to serve.
You can read the letter here: Ohio Supreme Court Letter_Redacted
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I think it’s about time to just file for disability and sit at home since it’s getting to the point of not even being able to order food, get groceries, or even get fuel for our vehicles in fear that the person at the register being a minor and getting arrested for just trying to eat, provide for our families, or just drive somewhere. They say we are trying to hide, but we aren’t. We are trying to thrive in a society that wants us all dead, no matter what we did, didn’t do, or what we have overcome.
Unfortunately, SOME probation officers here in Florida already do this. Last Wednesday was an anniversary of sorts–nine years (successful) on PFR probation. got six to go. In that time, have seen a LOT of stuff. Early in the probation period, I was working for a company that cleaned offices. My first job out of prison.
As a hard worker, my boss wanted to know if I would be allowed to help her on some of her residential accounts. When I asked my then-probation officer, she her reply was this…
“sure, you can work houses. I just need to know the name, address, and phone number so i can call them and ask them if there are children in the home AND if they mind if a sex offender being insider their home”.
Well, ended up turning down the offer of more hours from my boss. She and I agreed that her clients would drop like flies if approached with a phone call like that.
So, already happening in Florida, just not well known. But, it also points out a larger problem. Probation officer “X” and Probation officer “Y” interpret and enforce the laws differently. Really disheartening for someone who tries to do what is right.
While a few of the questions from the bench are optimistic, the stone silence from the majority of the justices tells me their minds were made up before this case even hit the docket. Hope I’m wrong here.