Is your Sheriff’s Office trying to collect your DNA?
We are being notified by Members across the state that their Sheriff’s offices are either contacting them to come in and provide a DNA sample or, in some cases, even showing up at their doorstep to collect DNA!
Upon information and belief, the FDLE has sent letters or emails instructing all Sheriff agencies to collect DNA samples (i.e., “Project DNA”) from specific individuals listed on the Sex Offender Registry. It is unclear under what authority the FDLE can collect DNA from individuals whose offense dates are prior to the dates set forth in F.S. 943.325.
FAC has put in a public information request to the FDLE to ascertain this information.
In the meantime, some registrants have been told that providing DNA is voluntary. Other registrants have consulted with an attorney and been advised NOT to volunteer for the collection of DNA unless they come with a court order compelling them to provide the sample.
We will continue to update you as more information comes in.
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So what do the dates mean in F.S. 943.325? I see January 1, 2011,2013, etc. Does that mean they aren’t allowed to ask for DNA samples if your offense was prior to those dates? My offense is from 1998 out of Broward County. I honestly don’t remember if they collected any DNA when I was in the county jail or state prison. I was 21 at the time and I was just focused on surviving 6 months of jail and 7 years of prison to remember if they ever took any samples.
I’m in Hillsbourgh country and have not been asked for a DNA sample. I have to register this month. I’ll follow up with happens when I do.
Marion County took mine while I was being booked.
In Massachusetts all convicted felon’s have to provide DNA samples, conviction date does not matter nor does on or off parole or probation. . I was contacted by phone about 3-4 years ago and told I must report to the police station with in one week where I live and to provide a DNA sample or risk arrest. My last conviction date was 1986 been off parole/probation for 20 some odd years. I see from time to time in the news paper court records people being arraigned on the charge of failure to provide DNA sample.
Maybe it has something to do with this:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/science/dna-crime-gene-technology.html
“Few law-enforcement agencies have such a database, but a new incentive to invest in Rapid DNA is emerging. The F.B.I. is setting up the infrastructure to enable select police booking stations, initially in five states — Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana and Texas — to upload genetic profiles extracted from cheek swabs directly to the national DNA database.”
Once again, Floriduh wh0ring for federal dollar$.
The only word that should ever come out of any registered citizen’s mouth under these circumstances is “I DEMAND A LAWYER.” Put the rest on the government.
If they come to do an address verification and ask if they can come in… “NO! Not unless you have a warrant.”
If they ask you to provide a voluntary DNA sample… “NO! Not unless you have a court order.”
If they threaten to arrest you. CALL A LAWYER FIRST!