Sometimes we come across a news story that I have to read twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating. Several news outlets in Louisiana are reporting that the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office conducted a crack down on registered persons who were violating a Louisiana law by “not posting on their profile that they were convicted sex offenders, conviction information, address, and other information required by the Louisiana sex offender registry laws”.
REALLY?!?! Apparently in Louisiana it’s a law that if you have a social media account, you need to advertise the fact that you are a registered sex offender, post your conviction, where to find you, and other information.
We hear of a lot of sick and inhumane laws, so nothing should surprise us at this point, but occasionally something does. Having to put “sex offender” as your title on a LinkedIn profile really takes the cake! What will Louisiana legislators come up with next to one-up that one for the next election?
I can say that it is real. I researched the law for a law review that I wrote on the topic after a follower of mine on twitter e-mailed me about it. He “follows” me by way of just visiting my twitter page from a web browser, but not having an account because he would be forced to self-disclose (something which I think is both unconstitutional and practically impossible).
At least their law is on the books. My state NY I can’t even decipher the legislation (if that’s what it is. It was enacted as part of the state budget I think? Information is elusive).
I’m sure glad the Louisiana judiciary is not filled with despicable racist jackholes and asshats!!
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/us/louisiana-supreme-court-trnd/index.html
I can vouch that this is, unfortunately, very much real.
Louisiana’s community notification law (RS 15:542.1 (D) http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?p=y&d=79162) says a registrant “shall include in his profile[…] an indication that he is a sex offender or child predator and shall include notice of the crime for which he was convicted, the jurisdiction of conviction, a description of his physical characteristics […], and his residential address. The person shall ensure that this information is displayed in his profile for the networking website and that such information is visible to […] other users and visitors of the networking website.”
What is a “networking website”? It’s which contains profile web pages of the members of the website that include the names or nicknames of such members, that allows photographs and any other personal or personally identifying information to be placed on the profile web pages by such members, and which provides links to other profile web pages on the networking website of friends or associates of such members that can be accessed by other members or visitors to the website. A networking website provides […] the ability to leave messages or comments on the profile web page that are visible to all or some visitors to the profile web page and may also include a form of electronic mail for members of the networking website.
The only listed exceptions are business websites, news sites, and government sites. Is this a networking website? Probably not.
A violation is a failure-to-register, which is a felony with a two-year minimum (up to 10). More importantly, since there is a path off the registry here, any felony conviction resets the clock on registration.
We don’t have any notice on our license plates but please don’t give them ideas. The words sex offender are under the picture in big orange letters on the driver’s license and ID card (and you have to have both, good for only one year, but you pay the same fee that other people pay for six years). Oh and if you don’t have your ID on your person… that’s a failure-to-register. Getting your wallet stolen could result in YOU getting a felony charge!
So Florida is NOT the worst state for a recovering SO.
At least in our circuit, a Federal district judge ruled that you cannot stamp “sex offender” on everyone’s license. And FAC’s Internet Challenge has held at bay any bright ideas about social network “disclosures.”
Thank you for educating us on LA’s house of horrors.
Forget “blue waves” or “red waves” – this Country needs a “human beings wave”!!
That’s just brilliant, Louisiana. (Sarcasm). Does the State also require the individual to tell potential vigilantes the time they’d be most vulnerable to an attack and whether they have any form of self-protection?? WTF??!! 😠.
Could this law be challenged as unconstitutional “compelled speech”??
I think this law should UNQUESTIONABLY be challenged. Is there an affiliate org in Louisiana?
From our table, it doesn’t look like there is (https://floridaactioncommittee.org/state-contacts-and-registration-requirements-for-visiting-persons-required-to-register-as-sex-offenders/_
If anyone reading this comment is in Louisiana please advise. If nothing exists, it’s time to reach out.
Registry Matters did an extensive interview with a LA defense attorney who joined an episode of their podcast. Need to recall who this was.
Also NARSOL’s color-comes map says that there is a volunteer advocate?
I’m in Louisiana and there is not an organization.
If given the mandatory choice of deciding to “live” in Louisiana as a sex offender or die I would not hesitate to pick the more pleasant of the two and kill myself. Easy as that. Some places are not worth living in.
When will the USA stop pretending to be concerned about human rights in other countries when they treat so many of the citizens right at home like SHIT!
Hypocrites!
@Sex Offender Truth – Why not choose to be a thorn In their friggin side. Done it for years in my home state. Stress their increasing stupidity, corruption, increasingly thin budgets and resources. again and again. Very gratifying.
Such a law is the verbal equivalent of a noose.
Does Polk County or the state of Florida have the same law
No
My husband and I have often talked about going to New Orleans, guess I’m adding that to my of places I refuse to visit and spend money.
Any 1st Am legal experts out there? Because this law strikes this non-lawyer as a pretty clear case of compelled speech, and a slam-dunk lawsuit for someone with $25k to blow. It also comes awfully close to violating Packingham.
Agreed, 1000%
This is what they chose to crack down on? Not drugs, not unsolved murders, not missing persons, not stolen cars, but this?? Its clear to me that all lives truly Do Not Matter. Mine included. My four dogs have more protection from the local law enforcement than I do. Hell based on this Louisiana line of thinking maby I’ll see if I can get my dogs to go vote for me. Im sure some politician would try to pass that if I told them my dog has a political party preference.. Id like to salute Louisiana with a big ole WYP from the sunshine state.
I believe they have “special” license plates as well. Choose your state of residence wisely.
@Ben – If most states adopt this or other (no needed) laws, then which state could you choose?
Not everyone gets to choose.
Isn’t the sex offender registry enough? Welcome to the era of the scarlet letter/s (SO).
I heard about that moronic law a while ago. Has anyone challenged it on freedom of speech grounds yet? Definitely compelled speech.