Is your local Sheriff making up their own rules for sex offenders?
Here’s a scenario that happens frequently. We get a call or an email from a member that begins, “I just got back from registering and they told me I need to…”
What follows, too often, is a description of some “requirement” that’s either a complete misinterpretation of the law or simply made up.
Wanting to make sure the member simply didn’t misunderstand and to properly document the event so that we can address it, we tell the member to ask them to put it in writing or cite to the section of law where that requirement can be found.
The answer is almost always “we don’t put anything in writing” or “talk to your attorney”, but occasionally we’re surprised that they will, or more shockingly, that the erroneous information is posted on a sign right in the registration office!
Case in point: Duval County. The Duval County (Jacksonville) Sheriff’s Office posted a sign with their requirements for registering Internet Identifiers. Their requirements are that ALL require registration.
You can find FAC’s letter to them, as well as a picture of their sign here.
If your county registration office or someone in law enforcement is requiring you to do something you are not required to do or preventing you from doing something you believe you are entitled, by law, to do, please let us know.
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This letter disappeared into history. The sign is modified but still up
The new home verification officer is requiring me to answer registry questions and sign the form. I informed him last month that I am not required to registry monthly. His response was well I need to update my information. I then told him that, by law, I have 48 hours to update any information with JREC. he did not respond. He will be back in April 1st, the same day that I report to JREC. I will be refusing to answer his questions or sign anything.
FAC, I need some advice if possible. My county has recently appointed a new registration officer. His aunt lives across the street from me and we are somewhat friends. This new officer went around the neighborhood and asked everyone if they knew I was an RSO, everyone said yes they knew but don’t pay any attention to the label because I help everyone and they know me. I have been in this same neighborhood for 24 yrs. and the only problem I’ve had was the drive by shooting 10 yrs ago, which they did nothing about. The new officer took my file around and showed all the neighbors. That was from 1991. The other officer before this one I had for over 10 yrs. and she told me I was one of the RSO’s she didn’t have to worry about. Anyway, the aunt came and told me that her nephew wants to raise in the ranks and that he wanted to bust me for anything he can. She told him whatever happened in my past is not who I am today and to leave me alone, because if she has to go to court, it will be on my behalf, because he is the one who is wrong. I know what I want to do, which is go talk directly to the sheriff and ask him to tell the officer to back off, but I also know cops will back each other(right or wrong), and sheriff’s will back their deputies. So I’m caught on what to do. Do I talk to the sheriff or should I retain an attorney? Or both?
The registration officer for St. Lucie county in Florida stated that the Sheriff made the decision that sex offenders/predators must pay $20 as their registration fee. It was $10 until October 1st. When asked why must we pay, it was stated, it’s the sheriff’s decision. If you can’t pay the now $20, they deny you the opportunity to register. Which in turn, forces you to commit a felony for failure to register. So sad.
If someone can get that policy in writing and send it to [email protected], it would be great.
We are working on a lawsuit and that would be helpful.
Duval has something similar.
Duval county requires me to pay them $25 every 6 months.I lived in Lafayette county prior to moving to Duval county where I was never charged anything in Lafayette county.I have been a revistered sexual offender since February 1991.
I am on Social Security Disability benefits. My probation officer has waived my probation fees because I am on disability. I would like to know if I am required to pay the twice annual $25 registration fees required by JREC, which I have been required to pay since going on disability. I informed JREC and they told me that I must pay or I will be arrested.
File a complaint with Internal Affairs!
I filed a complaint with Internal Affairs about the residency verification officer requiring me to verify registry information every month. They turned my complaint over to the desk Sargent. The desk Sargent came to my residence and spoke with me. He verified that I was not required to answer any registry questions during the monthly residency verification. He also stated that he would speak to Office Anderson, who continued to ask these questions. I refused. Another officer took over in January and asked the same questions so I called Internal Affairs, who refused to accept my complaint and merely told me to continue to refuse to answer any questions. Officer Jones then made a vieled threat to me, although I continue to refuse! Internal Affairs will investigate nothing.
The quarterly stops by Sheriffs deputies (used to be monthly)?
I don’t see a state law requiring this or county ordinance unless I am not looking in the right place that calls for constant local law enforcement harassment.
I do have to say that most all of the deputies have been very nice after there first stop.