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Has anyone at FAC contacted DoC regarding what their policy will be with homeless registrants? Since starting October 1st it will be illegal to be homeless and most shelters don’t allow registrants. It’s a catch 22 it’s illegal to not have a place to live and very few places will take registrants even with not factoring in the 2,500 foot rule.
Article is behind a paywall but if you can get passed it https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/07/24/a-homeless-safe-parking-program-its-an-idea-being-considered-in-broward/#
Anyway, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County officials are in talks to work together to replicate what is known in San Diego as “Safe Parking,”
A homeless safe parking program? It’s an idea being considered in Broward
Just because “you can’t cure it, doesn’t mean you can’t treat it,” said Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Warren Sturman, of the homeless population.
Fort Lauderdale and Broward County officials are in talks to work together to replicate what is known in San Diego as “Safe Parking,” where parking lots are designated for the homeless to spend the night without worrying about being arrested or being forced to move.
Broward County Commissioner Lamar Fisher, who is working with Sturman on this project, said he’s excited about the potential to “help them feel safe.” He said security would likely be contracted by a security firm versus local law enforcement, but it depends on “what is most cost effective.”
So the model they want to replicate bans registrants for living in their car in homeless car parks. So now if you’re homeless that’s one less area you will be potentially barred from entering.
Looks like the DA is going back after the felons who voted in the last election https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article290156779.html
According to the James and the other case you “technically” don’t have to register until all your fines and or sanctions have been completed.
“Has been released on or after October 1, 1997, from the sanction imposed for any conviction of an offense described in sub-sub-subparagraph (I). For purposes of sub-sub-subparagraph (I), a sanction imposed in this state or in any other jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to, a fine, probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, private correctional facility, or local detention facility;”
So if he has outstanding fines technically he does not have to register as a sex offender but the courts at the same time if you have outstanding fees, you can’t vote, but he is not a registered offender technically because all sanction have not been paid. another key point it says “Includes but not limited to” there is numerous sanctions that have not been given back to us yet.
If the literal words of the statute are what is what written above this is potentially might get cleared up with this case.
I doubt the defense will use this angle but if the statute literally says until all sanctions have been completed and if sanctions is not limited to the above examples, then he should have a legal case.
https://captimes.com/news/government/evers-signs-bill-allowing-former-sex-offenders-to-be-tracked-for-life/article_802f1bde-f02f-11ee-b563-c36bd16f7288.html
So, what makes this decision constitutional? It seems like government in general is passing laws that are designed to challenge existing precedent. As registrants I think we saw this with Louisiana’s castration bill and now this.
https://www.villages-news.com/2024/07/02/sex-offenders-ex-girlfriend-cuts-his-id-into-shape-of-heart/#google_vignette
Might be the most bizarre registration violation I have read about. The girlfriend cut his ID into a heart and if I understand the article, he was arrested for a violation because of that.
The State Legislature enacted a bill today requiring the FDLE to give grants to local law enforcement agencies to conduct online stings. This Would be in addition to the funds that law enforcement agencies get from the federal ICAC program. The online stings are now going to increase so these crooked cops can get more toys and more money in their pockets. The Florida Sex offender registry is about to grow exponentially. See the link
House Bill 1131
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1131/?Tab=BillText