Good news. A Win in Illinois!
In April, we wrote about an FAC member currently exiled from his home country because of International Megan’s Law.
One of our members, who has a decades-old conviction, for which he got probation, left the country 17 years ago and hasn’t come back. He went on to live a good life in this other country, established a business, got married and had three children. In October, his mother fell gravely ill and he returned to see her. When he flew into the country (another state) he did what he was supposed to do and registered his one-week stay, letting them know he would be going home on November 7th.
Our country sent a “green notice” to the country he now (and for the past 17 years) lives, warning them of his arrival, flight information and registration flyer. Not surprisingly, the authorities were waiting for him and upon arrival he was immediately turned back. Unwilling to step foot in the US again, he’s currently exiled in a third country, unwilling to be subjected to a lifetime of persecution in the US and unable to return home to his family. He desperately misses them and they miss him.
The state he visited was Illinois and his presence on their registry is what precluded his return to his family.
Just several hours ago, attorney Ron Kleiner, who appeared pro hac vice in Illinois, argued a petition to have this individual removed from their State’s registry, The court granted his petition, finding that the individual’s continued presence on the Illinois registry was a grossly disproportionate punishment for the crime, served no benefit to the people of Illinois (as he is no longer there) and ordered his immediate removal from their registry!
This is a significant win, a tremendous relief to the individual who can now be re-united with his family and hope for those who are listed on a registry in a State they no longer live!
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Congratulations to Ron Kleiner!
I’m sure he’ll do a fantastic job for the out of state challenge
when the funds are raised.
This is exactly what the OUT OF STATE CHALLENGE LAWSUIT is all about. Donate any amount and get this ball rolling. This suit will help everyone in the long run. Ron Kliener the Attorney who just argued and won in Illinois is the Attorney on this case.
That’s great news for HIM. but it’s a small win for those of us in Illinois not intending to travel. The only thing that will help us is SCOTUS to come into this national dispute BIG time and rule for strict scrutiny on these unconstitutional laws.
No one who is not a threat should be on the registry. If we want to identify anyone who might be a threat then all American citizens should be on a registry…starting with the politicians…since no one knows what resides in the ‘heart of man’. There is more to the definition of “threat” than sex. I have a friend who is fearful of going to the local Walmart…not because she is afraid of a sexual assault but because of armed car jacking. How has this nation been allowed to sink into such depths as to make all citizens fearful of each other?
Is this not one more court determination that the registry is in actuality punishment! As it certainly is .
This is a big deal. My family resides in IL near Chicago and I am here in FL. Their current law is, I can visit for 3 days after which I have to register and be upgraded to a Predator! My crime was 12 years ago and victimless. Both my parents are disabled and I would like to visit longer than 48 hours. I am hoping this ruling, though not addressing that exactly, provides proof positive that the registration requirements for travel and visitation for non-residental RSOs is too punitive and needs to be changed.
What it means (potentially) is that you WILL have to remain on the registry while there, but can be removed after.
I’m in a similar boat NY keeps me on their registry even though my original offense occurred in another state and I no longer live in the US with no plans to return. They informed me that because of this I still have to report to them of any changes in housing etc, listed on the registry as well as send them an updated picture every three years.
They ignored my lawyer’s petition completely. If possible it would be great if someone were able to help in my matter as I have not committed another crime since my offense 11 years ago. And this was the only offense on my record.