A member has reported that when advising his local Sheriff’s Office of DOMESTIC travel, he was asked to report his flight information and specific itinerary.
For INTERNATIONAL travel that information is required by statute, but to our knowledge not for domestic travel, nor has it every been requested in the past.
If you have been asked to supply information such as flight or hotel details for domestic travel, please let us know in the comments below.
Let’s see if I got it right.
According to a letter sent to FDLE by FAC in May 2018, concerning interstate travel, FAC received a response to that letter on May 3, 2018 from the Missing Person & Offender Registration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The question to FDLE was concerning ” requiring an offender or predator … required to report domestic travel to another state if they will not establish a residency outside of Florida.” This was while the 5 or more day requirement was law. They stated in their response that would change to 3 days or more July 1, 2018.
FDLE responded “There is no language in s. 943.0435, F.S. or s. 775.21, F.S. requiring an offender or predator who has registered as required to report domestic travel…”
So therefore there is no reporting from what I read unless I am going to spend 3 or more days in one location during the calendar year.
That then brought up the question of what constitutes a “DAY”.
I wrote the legal team concerning this and was informed – don’t count the partial days. Only the complete days. That’s taken from the interpretation from the FDLE.”
This is the example I gave in my question ” If I were to fly from Florida to another state on a Thursday 2 pm and were to return to Florida on Sunday 3 pm would that be considered 3 days?. I ask this question because I had read that travel days were not considered full days.
So if what is above true then the confusion concerning itinerary it would only come into effect if staying more than 3 or more days in one place. If reporting itinerary such as has been being committed in the post is true.
Therefore is it true? FAC said they are looking into it, so we shall wait and see.
True
Well an actual testimonial: i register with vcso EVERY TIME i leave to my other home in another state. Its monthly and usually for 2 or 3 days. Im always told i dont need to but i do due to the local pd harassment if im not home ( not on any paper for 22 years) This last time Trip was from thursday morning to saturday evening: i was officially told that was TWO days.
A number of years ago, my wife and I traveled to NY to visit her sister and brother. Leon County required me to submit an itinerary containing method of travel (We drove, so we had to give Tag# of vehicle), addresses of all stops, length of stay and names with contact phone numbers of people we were visiting. And all this was to be submitted in person, in writing 72 hrs prior to departure.
When I travel by car I give the sheriff’s office my cell phone number and tag number…which of course they already have. I give my date of departure and anticipated date of return. I provide no lodging info as 90% of the time I have no idea as to where I will be spending the night. I stop when I get tired of driving or come upon a location I want to visit. I have never been one who likes to travel on a schedule unless it is somewhere that I am scheduled to be, such as a conference.
And yet, somehow, the Government says this is all just a civil compliance and not at all punishment. In other words, we cannot leave our homes without permission, even though we are not on probation, and yet if we do, we go to prison and have new charges added to our record as a deviant offender who doesn’t comply with the rules.
*” Watch out for that guy on the corner little Susie , he is a very very bad man. ” “Oh why Mommie what did he do?” Well Susie, that man went to see his Mother in another state without getting permission”. “Oh Mommie, he is a horrible man for sure”.
* On a side note, when I was on probation and was in court ordered counseling, a guy was telling us all about his court hearing. He went to court to have some charges dropped. About half way through the case hearing, the defense attorney approached the bench thinking the judge was taking great notes. Instead he saw the entire time the judge was working on a crossword puzzle. The case was rescheduled with a different judge. True story from Seminole County Florida.
That’s crazy. When my probation ended (about 2 decades ago), I made it clear to ALL LE that they weren’t going to be coming around my home or family. We certainly don’t talk to them. If there is something that I am forced to do (by “law” only), I will go to their offices and do it in writing only. I never speak to them about anything other than just normal, every day chatting that people do.
It is much, much easier to live life if you aren’t concerned about LE coming around you or speaking to them. Just makes everything easier. And I’ve found it easy to do. Just block off your home. Put a wall or fence around your property. If you can’t, just put a gate on your front porch. If you can’t, put clear signs on your doors instructing people not to knock and to get off of the property. If LE doesn’t respect that, start with hiring an attorney to point it out to them. Then go from there.
Facts seem to be in the mind of whomever is ‘wielding the sword’. Our system of laws will be totally out of control once enforcement or compliance is left up to ‘personal call’. Laws need to be specific otherwise how can there be any violation. We see a national example as we observe the fiasco concerning impeachment.
Sailtime,
Very useful information for me. Did you get the response about partial days in writing from FDLE, because that could be very useful indeed. Thanks!
Now I see the question was posed to FACs legal team. Sorry! Still would love to have a copy of their advice on partial days.
I live in Hernando county Florida every time I go away they asked me what plane I’m taking where my hotel room why am I going they ask me all that information they been doing it for a couple years
I got most of my time in that county. Spring hill I wish I never have heard of it I used lived on Dandelion ct.
With all the commentary everything is now perfectly clear as mud.
If people let LE do just whatever they feel like, then you are going to keep getting a lot of what we see in these comments. LE will do what you let them get away with. LE is not interested in operating within the law. So you have to know the law and ensure they don’t violate it.
It sounds as if most people are fine with allowing big government to do “compliance checks”, whether it is forced by law or not. Each to his own. That is probably the easiest route to take and each person has to pick their battles and what is important to them.
If you are going to allow “compliance checks”, then I think it is important that you never, ever respond to any notes, cards, or anything else that is left at your home. Do not let LE think they can just drop by your home whenever they feel like, drop off a note, and then you’ll call them as soon as you see it. I’ve never called them once in response to that. I simply save the card, note, whatever, and forget about it. Today, they know that I’m not going to respond to them.
It is just one of those things where there really is no good reason to do so. What if you respond 10 times in a row but then next time the card gets blown away? Then they come around 2 weeks later and ask you all kinds of questions. Just not worth it. Much better to set expectations.
Personally, I don’t want LE thinking they should ever be contacting me. I am not on probation or parole and I’m not going to have any type of relationship with them. I’ll show up at their offices when I’m forced to and I’ll give the information that is forced, only that and only in writing. And every single time I see them I will tell them how stupid and counterproductive it is. I want them to think they are wasting their time, feel bad about it, and have low morale. I want that.
One of the most intelligent replies so far, and I agree.
always asked for flight information and where I’m staying.
I have an idea, not sure it’s a good idea. For those of us that can take joy rides around Florida and stop at every police station in each town we pass through and say I am here to register as a sex offender. The ask were are you moving to or staying, and we reply, no I am not moving or planning on staying any where I am just passing through this town and seeing that all towns and county’s in this state have different laws and restrictions I just am afraid of breaking some law or restriction that I am not aware of so here I am, they will say something like there is no law that says you have to register if just passing through this town, then ask can I drive by schools and bus stops? Or nursing homes? If so I will need a detailed map on which roads I can not drive on. I don’t know,, just a thought that I have had for a while, do not think I can muster the courage to actually do it. But if enough of us do it it may help get the word out on how messed up and confusing all this is.,,,,,,,,,,
I don’t think many have the free time that you have.
I believe the answer to this question is to be found on the FDLE registration information, item # 20
“If I fail to register after crossing state lines I may be in violation of federal as well as state statutes.”
I do note though that the verbiage states ‘after’ crossing and not before .
I THINK they mean failing to register in the OTHER jurisdiction.
Crossing state lines, in itself, triggers no registration laws anywhere that I’m aware of.
Nobody is going to erect registration stations at state border crossings.
FAC, I agree that FDLE meant something other than what they said here.
“If you go out if the state for any reason you need to report it to your local sheriff’s office,” FDLE told someone. At least one sheriff’s office appears to have told someone the same.
This cannot be correct for those off parole or probation. There has to be a permanent, temporary, or transient residence as defined by the law. A two-day trip can not trigger a sheriff’s office reporting requirement.
It’s not correct.
The Fifth Amendment provides us all with a privilege against self-incrimination. A violation of that privilege occurs when “the accused is compelled to make a testimonial communication that is incriminating.” Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391, 408 (1976). So, there are only 3 things we need to show in order to have standing for a law suit: 1) compulsion; 2) testimonial act or communication; and 3) incrimination.
All of us are under some form of compulsion via court order, sentence, etc., to provide information to law enforcement. Incrimination is caused by the testimonial act or communication that we must provide or face criminal sanctions for failing to provide it. “The privilege afforded not only extends to answers that would in themselves support a conviction under a federal criminal statute but likewise embraces those which would furnish a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute the claimant for a federal crime.” Hoffman v. United States, 341 U.S. 479, 486 (1951). This is enough to make a Fifth Amendment claim. The Self-Incrimination Clause is accorded liberal construction in favor of the right it was intended to secure. Counselman v. Hitchcock, 142 U. S. 547, 562 (1892); Arndstein v. McCarthy, 254 U. S. 71, 72-73 (1920). Notably, the Fifth Amendment applies to the State of Florida via the Fourteenth Amendment. Malloy v. Hogan, 378 US 1, 6 (1964). So, Florida’s constitution also provides protection against self-incrimination. See Fl. Const. Article 1, Section 9. Put simply, we have enough to file complaints to the U.S. Dept. of Justice for investigation into violations of our civil rights or liberties, and file suit in federal court requesting declaratory or injunctive relief.
Just to clarify, it was my understanding of statute that you only needed to report out of state travel if you intend to stay in one place for 3 or more days?
“(7) A sexual offender who intends to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state or jurisdiction other than the State of Florida shall report in person to the sheriff of the county of current residence within 48 hours before the date he or she intends to leave this state to establish residence in another state or jurisdiction“
If you are traveling domestically without establishing a permanent, temporary, or transient residence, do NOT give them ANY information except as required by parole or probation.
THAT IS THE LAW.
Otherwise, what’re they gonna do, arrest you? On what charge?
Funny you should say that. According to the FDLE you need to report to your local sheriff’s office (the county of your listed permanent address) anytime you go out of the state. However, traveling anywhere within the state? No report necessary.
I inquired as to the difference between the two if I had no plans to stay in any one place for more than 2 days. The response was, “If you go out if the state for any reason you need to report it to your local sheriff’s office. ”
So… an answer that wasn’t an answer.
I don’t recall being on probation… Sigh.
So to answer your question FAC, yes. We are being asked for iteneraries for domestic travel as directed by the FDLE. It would appear that some counties are asking for every detail.
SC, I have to agree with Anonymous above. If it isn’t found in the statutes then it doesn’t count. They can’t just make stuff up out of thin air and expect us to line up like sheep to the slaughter.
The question I have is, if arrested under the false pretenses under discussion, do we then forfeit any chance of release from the registry?
I’m not a Florida resident and have to say I am flabbergasted. I knew the state has draconian registration laws, but this blog regarding domestic travel made my jaw drop. I understand (but disagree) with states requiring an SO to register upon arrival. However, I had never heard of itinerary reporting requirements for interstate travel when departing a state. This is so strange to me that I’m still in disbelief and don’t even know how to respond.
If I am not establishing a temporary or permanent residence as defined by statute, I tell them nothing. Fortunately, they have never suggested otherwise. And yet all this feedback has me so rattled that I am posting this anonymously.
Yes in Pasco County, including even the county of each motel I’ve stayed in no matter in or out of Florida.
I live in Manatee County. And I have been required to provide flight numbers and hotel information when traveling. And I always make my trips which are for business less the 72hours.
I travel several times a year out of state. All I provide is where I’m going to stay and for how long. What you have to be careful of is what the requirements are where your going. They can be very different than Fl. Iv never been asked for an itinerary by Hillsbourgh County.
The last two times I traveled to New England to visit my parents, I had to submit my flight info, address where I’d be staying and contact info for that location. I also had to contact my US Probation Officer before my flight took off and again upon landing and the same for the return flight. I live in Broward county, Florida.
Yes, Brevard County demands an itinerary. Even as a commercial, over the road driver, I was told that I would have to email the sheriff’s dept. daily.
I chose to move to Indian River County when I was driving commercially. Indian River County asked FDLE (actually had me ask FDLE) what reporting was required. FDLE stated that I only had to notify IRCSO 3 days before departing that I was leaving the state. That is all.
This is why being on the registry amounts to a ban on travel. One missed detail, one slip of memory and you’re fu¢ked! Violated, put on community control, GPS, and reset of your 25 year tolling period. Fu¢k travelling, not worth it.
..or one small-town cop or sheriff not knowing (or caring) what the law actually states!
Yes, my travel itenary was sent to MCSO via email everytime I traveled domestically.
Just a thought, but isn’t any and all reporting (when we have completed our sentence) forced speech? Hell, registration is forced speech.
Leon county never asks ne for any flight info or what motel I may stay at during a drive. They haven’t even asked me what vehicle I’d be drivin.
We are not talking about people on probation those are a different set of rules. If the statute doesn’t require a itinerary for domestic travel FDLE has no right to demand a itinerary. So again I ask what are we and can we do about this
For my vacation last month, Seminole County required travel dates, flight itinerary, motel address and room# if I had it, and rental car reservations.
See y’all Friday!
Well, since I responded earlier, it seems that most if not all are giving similar type of responses.
What does the Florida Action Committee suggest we do?
see guidance in other responses.
Yes I see what other people think but what does FAC, think.
Follow down through this thread and you will see what FAC said concerning this matter.
Yep, we’re going out of town over Christmas and I already have all that ready for the 2 days before visit.
I do not travel anymore and cannot keep up with the rules so I go to the grocery store and the doctor and that is it.
Seems each of Florida’s 67 counties have their own rules instead of all being in line with the law, they make it up as they go along.
Seminole County is the worst I have seen but sure there are worse ones. Would hate to be pulled over by our buddy Sheriff Chitwood in Volusia.
When I took my ‘nostalgia trip’…driving tour of the east coast…I was asked to provide the names and locations of the motels I would be staying in. I told the Brevard County SORT rep that I had no clue as to where I would be staying. I would stay whenever and where ever I was when I got tired of driving. They then told me to report my location…motel name, address, and room number each night, via email. I did so and had no problems. I had no problems checking into the motels. As long as they got paid they didn’t care what was on my drivers license. The motels were always friendly. Florida seems to try to make a lot of something out of nothing.
I mean, it makes sense if you believe in Registries. The law enforcement criminals (LECs) want to know where you are “living” at all times so that they may inform the public to fake “protect” them. So if you stay in some hotel far from your home for a week, the hotel needs to blast out a warning for everyone. Supposedly. As they lie.
Having said that, reporting your location to LECs every day FOR ANY REASON is 100% unacceptable in America. I would make them pay dearly for that. They wouldn’t have a choice.
And if you think about it, it’s just asinine. How did e-mailing the idiots every day protect anyone? A person could very, very, very, very easily commit any crime 1,000 miles from any location they were at on any given day. It’s just flat out stupid. Stupid theater for stupid people.
If a person is not on probation or parole, this idiocy is not acceptable. Make them pay.
Will, you are 100% correct. I am not on probation and let them know I was leaving the state for vacation. The requirement placed on me to report daily made no one any safer, however, I did not want to ‘throw sand into the gearbox’ two days prior travel. Most of the sheriff’s reps in Brevard County are pretty decent people, just doing what they are told to do. Can’t say the same for probation. Thank God that is behind me. Between the county board of commissioners and probation, they do what they can to destroy lives and families. I have asked for a meeting with any one of the county commission members and they are too coward to respond. That’s what happens when they know they are in the wrong.
I live in polk county florida, I have asked about this before when I considered a cdl career. I was told by the sheriff’s office that anytime I would leave the state I would have to supply exact route and all details on that travel even if I were to fly out of state and each visit is 5 bucks a pop. I dont know if I misunderstand the actual question, but the officer even bragged about how they followed people so they can bust them for any slight detours
Ok so we now know this isn’t a isolated incident so what do we do when local Sheriffs offices and FDLE are breaking the law
I think the ultimate answer is that the law enforcement criminals (LECs) are going to have to be controlled by the courts, as usual. They’ll have to be sued and punished.
But in the meantime, what I always do is write to the LECs, their attorneys, and whomever supervises them and controls their budgets (e.g. county executives and their attorneys). I ask them to show me the law that supports what they are doing. If I’m very sure they are wrong, I will say so and ask them to stop. In any case, if/once I find that they cannot support their actions, I’ll write again to ask them to stop. If they don’t respond correctly, I’ll have an attorney contact them. That is all it has taken so far. They don’t want to lose in court and have to start following the law in all cases. So they will slink away like the criminals that they are.
It seems to me that each one of these incidents of the respective Sheriff’s breaking the law should be forwarded to US Attorney General Bill Barr for investigations into the infringements upon the civil rights or liberties of those affected.
Here’s the address for anyone interested:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Special Litigation Section
Washington, D.C. 20530
The Section can be reached by telephone: (202) 514-6255 or toll-free at (877) 218-5228.
When my son was on probation he was required to provide to his PO. He also provided flight number detail, dates, destination , address where staying.
Once off paper was required to provide dates and destination to sheriffs. That’s all as I recall.
Palm Beach County Florida
Gail Thank you for what you are doing for us ! And Thank your helpers too
Gail is nice to see you chime in once in a while. Don’t be a stranger.
Happy thanksgiving
We have a real asset to be proud of in Gail. What a wonderful individual!
Might not be relevant but my partner is on probation and can’t leave the county(Polk) without “permission”. We have traveled only once out of state to my family in Georgia and we had to give hotel info, my families phone numbers….and the PO called the hotel…all in all very embarrassing but we just thought if you want to go give them all the info you can, we were not doing anything wrong so nothing to hide. Thought it was probably the norm….
Thanks John – probation is different.
Being registered in multiple states travel between states is not questioned. With registration in only one state, travel for more than 3 days is under scrutiny.
I’m not an attorney, but as long as you don’t stay in any single location In the US for 72 hours (including cumulative) there shouldn’t be any legal reason to share that information with Florida unless laws have changed. Is this correct? Most states don’t require registration unless you’re there significantly longer than that. Say you do report a trip of 3 days or more, who exactly does Florida notify if you do have a temporary out of state address? Thanks FAC!!
The question does not concern registration. It concerns reporting flight information and itinerary for when you do have to report.
Perhaps it wasn’t clear.
You simply asked about people being required to provide itinerary for domestic travel.
Some of the responses suggest that people were required to provide itinerary even in situations where they did not have to report anything at all, just because they were leaving town for some period.
I read your question as, are you off parole and nevertheless told to provide itinerary for any and all domestic travel. And I am amazed at some of the responses.
You have opened a can of worms, and I thank you.
Jacob, to clarify; I was asking for people who are traveling domestically (interstate and intrastate) and off probation.
People who are on probation have to report additional information to their probation officers and that’s separate.
The catalyst for the question, is we were contacted by a member who advised that he was asked for travel details he felt were above and beyond what is required to be reported.
According to FLORIDA STATUTES 943.0435(7):
(7) …The sexual offender shall provide to the sheriff the address, municipality, county, state, and country of intended residence. For international travel, the sexual offender shall also provide travel information, including, but not limited to, expected departure and return dates, flight number, airport of departure, cruise port of departure, or any other means of intended travel…
The sheriff is not authorized to collect your flight number, port of departure or means of travel for domestic travel. Apparently, according to the anecdotal responses compiled here, several Sheriff’s offices are collecting information above and beyond what they are authorized to collect. Some come up with their own rules.
This information is being investigated and sent to an attorney.
Seems very clear. LE is either very incompetent or they just feel like they should do whatever they want and think they can get away with. Operating outside of the law is a crime.
According to FDLE a couple years ago, If your NOT on Probation and NOT moving, You do NOT have to report your itinerary to anyone, BUT, You ARE Required to follow any laws in effect in whatever State your in !! Tennessee says 10 days before you must report !?!?!?. And as for the 72 hour requirement in Florida, You can stay 2 days here, Then 2 Days there, then 2 more days somewhere else, And you do NOT have to report your address !!. A “Sheriff’s Office” will always tell you that you must report EVERYTHING you do !! But, You gotta know the laws ! Marion County USED to tell me I had to report ALL TRAVEL ! But once I challenged it, They no longer ask ! The ONLY thing you must tell them is IF YOU’RE MOVING ! I travel all the time, And I’ve had MANY contacts with Law Enforcement, And never had a issue about being out of state !! Technically you can travel 30+ days and as long as your do what’s required by whatever State your in, You don’t have to tell Florida anything !! EXCEPT for traveling Out of the COUNTRY !
I have scoured Florida law and found nothing about a requirement to provide any itinerary. If someone knows where to find it, please post. Thanks
The statutes don’t require it. Which is why we’re asking. They seem to be collecting information above and beyond what is required by law.
I would say above and beyond what is allowed by law.
Very good point! Thanks JC
That is good.
I like to phrase it that they are illegally operating outside of the law. Instead of following they law, they are following what they want and how they feel.
It is exactly the same as so many sheriffs I have seen where the law says that a Registered Person must provide information A, B, and C and they ask for A, B, C, D, E, and F. They can’t even follow simple laws and ALWAYS attempt to operate outside of them. That’s what criminal operations do.
I register in November, and during my last time in the sheriff office here in Volusia County I over heard the clerk telling a new out of prison RC that some people try to question everything so they have to do things like that because of them. Not sure what she was referring to. It was basic questions really she was asking and I didn’t quite understand. His response was well let them do ten years that will change their mind. Of course I don’t blame him, any time sucks. But I do believe here in this county they do go a little above and beyond what they are supposed to or maybe allowed to at times.
That is not going “a little above and beyond”. That is operating outside of the law. That is the definition of a crime.
I would have told that clerk that people would not have to question so much if LE was simply competent and moral enough to just follow the law. But what people learn is that LE will definitely not follow the law and that they certainly cannot be trusted.
I agree they break the law, but in all honesty what an I supposed to do? I have a family and kids that depend on me. I can’t afford to sit in the county having a Pissing contest with the sheriff. In Volusia you lose. I hate it but I just play along. I’m happy if no one harasses my kids or wife because of me. I’m happy if my house doesn’t get vandalized. I’m happy if the neighborhood watch doesn’t hype up sex offender witch hunt.
Does this suck, of course. I would love to have a van or trailer I could fix up to travel and just be left alone. Never going to happen. They want me away from everyone but want to watch me too. Seems contradictory.
So again, what am I supposed to do?
I think most people are in the exact same situation. I’d say to do what makes you and your family the happiest and gives you the most satisfaction. So it just depends on how you want to react and live.
But I will say that if we don’t fight back they will certainly continue to commit crimes.
For me personally, I’ve structured mechanisms that ensure that they pay every day. Not just every once in a while, but literally every day. That was what was important to me. If they ever arrested me, they would lose. I’m not bragging, that is just reality.
One time I went to register and they lady who was behind the window at the sheriffs dept. was new. She was so cool and nice to us. She was getting us out of there within 5 minutes each whereas the guy who use to be at the window “Detained” everyone for about 20 minutes each, backing up the line for hours on end.
A guy who got called up to the window could have gotten out of there in minutes if he was nice but he wanted to argue with the lady, cussing her out and stating he did not have to cooperate with the government tactics. He refused to sign the paperwork we have to sign each time stating all your information is correct.
When he left the guy stuck up his middle finger and said the F word. I apologized to the lady and said we are all not like that. She said it was ok and that his day is coming sooner than he thinks. Without any further info on what she meant, I am sure I knew what she meant.
None of us like being on the registry but you can make life easier for yourself by just being polite even if they are not, getting it over with until next time and moving on. Out of site, out of mind. They may not remember me for my kind words but they will sure remember the guy who made a scene.
I do not agree with anything about the registry but until we as a whole can do something to change it, why take it out on the officers who most would rather be out stopping robberies and car jackings than going door to door checking on ex offenders. If I was still in law enforcement and they tried to put me on that task force, I would have quit. That is not what most went through the academy to do. Perhaps a few get off on busting our chops but to me, those are the bad cops that treat everyone they come in contact with badly. Like our news worthy buddy Sheriff Chitwood who thinks it is cool to call everyone who is arrested a scum bag.
Without changing the subject, I had the same concerns for the same reasons about cooperating with verification checks At your home by law enforcement when you are no longer on probation or parole – the answer is still elusive. Perhaps there is someone who has a definitive answer for both issues?
if you are not on probation all you need to do is show your driver’s license/id. don’t answer questions (unless they are benign “how are you doing today” type questions). If they ask you to verify reporting information, you can tell them that you do so when you report for re-registration. If they ask if they can come in and take a look around, you tell them no. If they ask why not if you have nothing to find, tell them to get a warrant and they will find out for themselves.
Sensible advice and likely the easiest route by far. I think it would be easy for a Registered Person (RP) to teach LE that they will not be able to verify anything unless they call the RP in advance and arrange to meet the RP at the front gate of their property. The RP could give them 1 minute to look at the ID and then leave. That is the absolute most cooperation that I’d ever consider.
That aside, are RPs required by Floriduh law to allow at home visits? At work? If they are not, why allow it? Let LE talk to the neighbors. Why signal that Registries are acceptable? Why let LE pull propaganda stunts where they get together 100 big government employees and run “operations” with the media? Put an end to it. Make them focus on some actual useful LE work for a change. Don’t help them pretend that Registries are legitimate.
Sheriffs are authorized by statute to verify the information furnished, through on-site verification.
I don’t understand why this is such a point of discussion. Most officers will come to the door, say “Hi, are you ___ ___? I am here to do your address verification, can I see your Driver’s License?” you show them your drivers license, they say thanks and they move on. Some are jerks, just stay polite, show your ID and thank them for their time.
If they start interrogating, simply say you provided all information when you were in for re-registration, you would like to be as cooperative as possible, but if they have any questions you will be very glad to provide the information when you come in, as you usually do, or have your attorney present when they question you.
If they ask to come in, hard NO without a warrant.
Just use your common sense. If they ask “how’s your day going?”, don’t say “fuck you, I don’t need to answer your questions.”
I find it surprising that you don’t understand why this is such a point of discussion. Details matter. People care how they are being treated and what LE thinks they may do. I think it is obvious that if LE is not controlled, they will attempt to do whatever they think they can get away with. So I think it is especially important to set boundaries. LE should not continue to think that they have a hit list of people of whom they can harass, that the Registered People will allow it, and that the public will enthusiastically love it.
LE is very vested in trying to make the general public BELIEVE that they are “monitoring” “$EX offenders” and that they are protecting everyone. It would be VERY helpful to the cause of destroying the Registries if the general public KNEW and SAW that was not true. So instead of seeing media reports of squads of armed LE doing “operation this or that” and swarming clueless Registered People, they should see nothing but walls. Perceptions matter.
So I think it is a big deal to do what the law requires a person to do but to allow nothing more than that. If they supposedly “need” something more than the law requires, then they need to change the law. It is that simple. So Floriduh law authorizes sheriffs to do verifications, but does it REQUIRE anyone to allow it? If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t. Or if I did, they would have to call me and meet me at my gate. Easy.
Where I live, they do have to call me because they know if they don’t, they’ll be wasting their time. I’m very nice to any of them who are nice to me. But I certainly am not going to “thank them for their time”. I will tell them to stop believing in the Registry idiocy and go do some real LE work for once.
Lastly, I also don’t get why you think it is acceptable that an officer would come to a person’s door. I don’t want LE anywhere near my property, certainly not on it or near my actual home. I don’t let people that I don’t trust come onto my property or around my family. I get that some people can’t block off their doors. That’s okay, probably not that big of a deal usually.
The local pd runs warrant checks on the driver license. Is that ok? They won’t let me sign the address verification without it coming back from their dispatch. Im not on any paper or reatriction for over 20 years. Just a bit iffy about that and them asking where i was when i wasnt at door.
You don’t need to tell them where you were.
I think they know if you have any warrants before they come to your door. I can find out if you or anyone else in Florida has a warrant with 3 clicks of my mouse on the FDLE’s wants and warrants site.
Nevertheless they call it in on their SPEAKERS and freak out my wife.
To JM
Yeah it sucks. I have two different deputies who come to my house. One is discrete, one is not. The one cool one, once a neighbor asked if everything was ok when she saw a deputy at my door, the deputy yelled to her ” Yeah I am just following up on an incident in the area.”
The other deputy would have said ” Yeah I’ll come fill you in, in a few minutes.
No, you do NOT have to show your drivers license at the threshold of your home or even if outside on your private property. It constitutes a warrantless search.
Ok – YOU don’t. For everyone else, we recommend showing your license and remaining compliant.
Compliant with WHAT?! There is NO statute (for those not on any type of supervision) to surrender your rights protected by the 4th Amendment. This seems very contradictory to the purpose of your organization which, unless I’m mistaken, is not only educating the public and government but also educating men and women suffering under the registry scheme. You tout fighting against public servants abusing their power and discretion by enforcing non-existent laws but in another breath tell people to shup up and put up. Seems somewhat hypocritical.
Compliant with the registration requirements as they relate to address verification and cooperative with reasonable requests from law enforcement.
You, TE, are free to be as uncooperative and militant as you like.
(6) County and local law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the department, shall verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are not under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections, and may verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections, in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and any other federal standards applicable to such verification or required to be met as a condition for the receipt of federal funds by the state. Local law enforcement agencies shall report to the department any failure by a sexual offender to comply with registration requirements
Your reply only proves my point. Absolutely nothing saying “you must show your drivers license to LE upon visiting your place of residence or employment”. When registering, yes…when pulled over, yes…that’s it. The fourth amendment starts at the entrance of our property. We are still secure in our papers and effects. To come to the threshold of your home, demand you open your door and reach across the threshold to hand your drivers license (papers) to them without a search warrant is, in effect, a warrantless search. Not rocket science. And, no, not be militant or uncooperative…I just choose to not be ignorant by researching and applying what I learn to protect my God-given rights. My rights do not come from men and their pieces of paper; those are only in place to (allegedly) protect our natural rights from our Creator. But, in the end, to each his own.
My wife and I took a trip in our RV to Marathon Key (Monroe County) in March of this year. We came back from site seeing the second day we were there and there was a Sheriff business card stuck in the door. I called the woman and asked why it was there. She merely responded that they were doing a location verification. About 5 minutes later, two Sheriff Patrol cars pulled up. One officer knocked on the door, I opened it and he asked me for my license. He took my license back to the car and didn’t return it for about 10 minutes. What I was not aware of, is that my wife was out walking our Dog and upon her return, she was questioned by one of the Officers. They asked her if there were any minors inside the RV and if she was afraid for her own safety. I find this to be very unusual and would like to know if our rights were in any way violated by this invasion of our privacy. I have since instructed my wife to never answer any questions posed to her by any officers that do verification checks. Does anyone from FAC have any suggestions? Should I contact my attorney?
please contact [email protected]. this is a very interesting situation. A declaration from your wife might help in the ex post facto plus lawsuit.
We are heading out for 2 weeks vacation this morning. Upon our return I will have her contact them with the information. Thank you for your prompt response.
Update:
We are currently in Lee County, Fl. I went to the sheriff department to check in. I was told that I also have to go back either one or two days prior to my departure and check out. He said I have to do the same process to leave as when I came. I do not find it in the paper work he gave me but I am not an attorney. Would it be possible to send this to the same website you gave me above and see what your take is on it?
Sounds like an illegal, unconstitutional phishing expedition. But then what else can we expect from some LE that would rather chase RSO’s than dangerous drug dealers or armed thieves? No sense in risking one’s life when that one can get credit for being on the job by chasing RSO’s.
When I worked in law enforcement there was no such thing as registries but of course there have always been people being arrested for sex offenses. I am sure many of those people arrested went on to have a career ( that allows ex-felons ) but without the extra tarnish of being on the world wide list of deplorables.
Nowdays it can take months or even longer to find a job. Not because we have a record, many places hire ex felons. However a very low percentage of places will take a chance on someone on the registry. I got hired at a place and once someone came in and complained that they knew I was on the registry, I was let go. Of course they used a non related BS reason for letting me go but it was the next day after someone came in and hung flyers of me all over the job site. If that was a coincidence then the Twilight zone is real.
I’ve asked this before. Perhaps this time will be the charm. Where exactly can we find all of the Florida state laws pertaining to registration requirements? For that matter, is there any one place where we can see the current laws listed on a state-by-state basis?
Thanks
Asked and answered several times.
ALL Florida State laws can be found in the Florida Statutes. (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/)
MOST County and Municipal Ordinances can be found in Municode (https://library.municode.com/fl) If you don’t see your city or state, you can google ‘[Name of municipality] Ordinances’ and some host their ordinances on their website. If you still cant find them, you can go to your local county courthouse and ask the clerk of courts.
There is no comprehensive “list” of laws for all 50 states + territories.
I know, I know. I ask then I forget, or I’ll save it and then I can’t find it; hence, “perhaps this time will be the charm.” Sorry to be a pain.
State-by-state current laws may be found at the NARSOL state wiki. It is of course up to the user to verify whether they are up-to-date (you’ll find links to applicable sections of state codes).
Complete Florida registration laws are handed at some county registration laws. But where they’re not, this is an understandable compliance FAQ and thank you FAC for patiently handling this question on a repeat basis.
*”handed out at”
Thanks, Jacob.
In Pinellas County, I was required to provide the addresses of my overnight lodging locations for a long weekend trip out west earlier this summer.
To all of you who posted here: were you on any kind of supervision?
No, been off probation 18 years, they tell me the same thing anytime I ask about leaving the state…
I told them about the FDLE Letter to FAC, and gave them a copy, they said until FDLE sends them this letter, the rule in Broward County Stands…
Cannot leave the state without advising them of when and where I’m going….if I do,I’ll be arrested and brought back to Broward County for violating FDLE sex offender rules….
I was not
I’m on federal supervised release.
We are talking about reporting to the Sheriff’s office, not what you have to report to probation.
Nope, no supervision.
Not sure why my previous comment wasnt posted…oh well.
Not sure why everyone is having to report all of this just for domestic travel. It was stated to me if I’m staying somewhere for 3 days cumulative in a calendar year, I had to report. If not, dont worry about it. That’s what the law says, so that’s all I’m gonna worry about. The FDLE can say what they want and be aggressive all they want. Even they aren’t above what the law says.
Of course, you all can take my route, which isn’t a very popular opinion lol. Just drive when you travel and dont worry about the reporting nonsense. As long as you dont get pulled over, you’re good lol.
Let me put the disclaimer here….
**FAC does not advocate nor support this viewpoint and encourages its members to abide by all state and federal laws.
There ya go. And it’s just a joke people. I report everything when its convenient for me to do so. If it’s not, then i just wing it and drive the speed limit. Lol. Sometimes you just gotta live a little guys. I’m not going to allow myself to be ruled by this never ending nightmare.
Your previous comment wasn’t posted because it contained information that was incorrect and your current one is off point and irresponsible.
You are required to report if you establish a permanent (3 or more consecutive) or temporary (3 or more days in the aggregate) or transient residence, anywhere in the US, but Florida Statutes do not required you to report your flight information or certain other travel details unless you are traveling internationally.
If you chose to try to skirt the law, we suggest you keep it to yourself, don’t encourage others to break the law and certainly don’t be the person who admitted to something in a public forum.
Thanks. You’re always a breath of fresh air!
Yeah it wasnt clear that you were only talking about flight info. Seems clear to me that it’s all inclusive. If you’re not gonna be somewhere for more than 72 hrs in a calendar year, driving or flying, it doesn’t need to be reported. Is that correct or incorrect?
And if sheriffs offices are asking for stuff above the law, what is it we’re supposed to do??
I don’t know where you are getting 72 hours from. The statute is “3 or more days”.
The sexual offender shall provide to the sheriff the address, municipality, county, state, and country of intended residence. For international travel, the sexual offender shall also provide travel information, including, but not limited to, expected departure and return dates, flight number, airport of departure, cruise port of departure, or any other means of intended travel. The sheriff shall promptly provide to the department the information received from the sexual offender.
Is it clarified in the law that 3 days means 72 hours? I think that is the common sense meaning. But if it is not clear, I’d have to get it clarified by Floriduh in writing.
I expect this has already been discussed so apologies if that is the case. Maybe you could have an FAQ page and just direct people to that every time?
3 days does not mean 72 hours.
The statute expressly says hours when hours are implied and days when days are implied. It makes reference to reporting within 48 hours in certain places and 3 or more days in others.
According to responses from the FDLE, “days” might mean only full days, with partial days not included.
The meaning of “Day” is one of the items addressed in the vagueness claim in Does v. Swearingen.
Wednesday at noon to Thursday at 11:59 is 24 hours, but it’s not necessarily one day – it can be zero days, since neither Wednesday nor Thursday are a complete day, or it can be two days, Wednesday and Thursday. For now, all we know is that different law enforcement agencies interpret it differently and you need to check on how yours does.
It is quit obvious from all the replies that no one really knows for sure what the laws/requirements are. The more I read, the more confused I become. I just live a law abiding life and let the ‘chips fall where they might’. Life doesn’t have to be this confusing for people to be safe.
That is because even law enforcement doesn’t know. I once got detained at a school, I was dropping off my Grand daughter for an event. A Lt. with the PD had a license plate reader and got a hit on my vehicle as being a registered outcast.
He was very kind and professional but after staying with me for over 30 minutes while he waiting on an answer from the FDLE, he told me FDLE didn’t have an answer if I had violated any offender laws, rules, ordinances or statues. He asked If I would leave ( I was leaving anyway ). I said I had to come back and pick her up later and he just said “Do what you have to do “.
Yes, recently I submitted a travel notification to my local sherrif”s office and was also advised that I needed to provide travel vehicle info, what hotel I would be lodging at, as well as any itinerary if applicaptable to my travel out of state. I am no sure if all this information is lawful for them to obtain when traveling out of state but yet it’s what they have requested in Flagler County. It’s truly like we are on forever probation even after we serve our time.
Vcso has always demanded info on flights or trains and if im staying in a hotel on the way to ny if im driving. Which is difficult as i wouldnt know where id end up.Was told i needed to give them that info. Some times they dont ask but the problem with the flights is that i want to fly standby which is cheaper but theu need a flight number.
Also local pd if they stop by and im in ny for TWO days ask my wife how i got there and how im coming back. Havent been on any paper in 23 years. I came to florida and got caught up in the wierd lofetime thing so decided we were stuck here
Yes, Volusia County Sherriff asks for details regarding domestic travel as well as Caribbean cruises. On the last two cruises we took we were escorted to the security for clearance. Not stated that it was because of my RSO status. But when I asked specifically if it was they confirmed. I also booked a later cruise and received an email from Royal Caribbean as to why I was on Registered status. When I explained the circumstances I was granted permission to proceed with booking.
I am in Volusia as well and have thought about doing a cruise with the family but I am always scared to get to the port and being denied.
Yes, Duval County. I called FDLE and they said they were being aggressive. They would not enter in information until I provided the itenerary. They wanted all hotels if Driving and routes taken. All flight information and hotels if flying.
Hello, I am commenting regarding letting the Sheriff’s office know of my travel plans. I am in Sumter County. For the past 4 years I have been told that I have to submit my Airline information to the county. I also, which I understand is my obligation, have to notify the state where I am traveling to, notice of my arrival and departure dates, in addition to the place where I am staying.
I was not told that the Sumter County information was optional.
I also was told that any travels by car was permitted, as long as I notify Sumter County of where I am staying each night.
Yes, I had to report all my flight information, where I was going, where I was staying , when I would be back etc, and all information concerning my trip to the Osceola sheriffs office before traveling to Washington State to visit my mother.
Every time I have travelled out of state they always want to know the make, model, and tag of the vehicle I am traveling in. I have not flown yet, so I am not sure if they would ask for flight info. That is Pasco County.
Orange County requires any Hotel stay in any state to be reported, address, county and room number, as far as the “the last address you stay at”. Here in FL its confusing. The statute says you must report any address you are at before 72 hours elapses, but you have to change your license in 48 hours?!? So if you visit a place in florida, within 2 days you have to DMV it and register then donit again upon returning to your home address. Regardless, this amounts to lifetime monitoring probation. None of us should have to deal with this post sentence.
I don’t believe that is quite how it works. If you are staying anywhere for a period of 3 days or more in the same calendar year, than you must report that location and therefore register with said state and/or county. As for the DMV bit, unless where you were staying at was your new permanent address, than it becomes a temporary address and from my understanding doesn’t involve a visit to the DMV. However it pays to be sure on that matter.
Yes I give them the itinerary
I live in Martin county
Never really gave it a thought because you have to tell them where u are going and staying at
Is this person who reported “… that when advising his local Sheriff’s Office of DOMESTIC travel, he was asked to report his flight information and specific itinerary.” on parole, probation, or other type of supervision?
Yes, I was required to register all travel domestically, along with my hotel and flight information. I have not been on any probation when I did travel.
Yes. If you are out of the state for more than 72 hours, Orange County wants to know the details; when leaving, when return, hotel/location you’ll be staying (including the county).
Whether they want it or not, if you don’t establish a residence in another state (like a 2-day hotel stay would NOT be an established residence), you don’t have to report anything, unless the state that you visit requires it. So, for instance, you could stay at one Arizona hotel for a couple of days, then another in Arizona for a couple of days, and then come back to Florida or possible visit yet another state.
And actually notnhave to report it as you werent anywhere for three days…. interesting. So its not that youre leaving the state (unless on probation) that you need to report? Interesting
Two years ago when I went to NJ on vacation I had to give the hotel name address county. When I would be there and leave. I can only assume next year will be worse.