Restoration of Civil Rights for Sex Offenders
Lake Monroe, FL— December 30, 2014. News of the Florida legislature potentially restoring felons who have completed their full sentences right to vote is encouraging. However, the exclusion of those who fall under the broad label of “sex offender” is a distinct failure not only to the reformed person and their family, but to the public in general.
The label “sex offender” applies to over a hundred acts with no consideration given to the low risk and non-violent offenses or for those who have fulfilled all required treatment and are making every attempt to return to being a contributing citizen. If our current policies are truly about public safety and we strongly believe that restoring voting rights to those who no longer pose a risk to public safety then we should include all former felons who do not pose a public safety risk, including sex offenders.
When one considers the research and empirical evidence on recidivism; sex offenders have a very low risk to recidivate whereas drug offenders, armed robbers, home invaders, perpetrators of domestic violence, auto theft, other property theft categories and almost all other categories of former offenders have a much, much higher recidivism rate. The label applies to thousands of individuals whose offenses were not violent or non-contact.
Our government is passing many laws severely restricting the liberties of this class of citizen it deems a “sex offender”. Many, such as residency restrictions, have proven ineffective and actually counter-productive to public safety. The irony is that the individuals who are affected by the laws have no voice in government to effectuate a change.
We need to recognize that former sex offenders are citizens. Although you might personally feel they are less worthy of the right to vote; it is important to remember that at one point the public felt the same about non-whites, non-protestants and even females!
We cannot have it both ways. We should include all categories of former offenders who have remained clear of new offenses related to their initial offenses or include none. No other charge mandates a lifelong label which is used to pass laws and ordinances under the guise of public safety, exhausting resources that would be better spent on prevention and support services for families and children in need. The lack of evidence based legislation only provides a platform for uninformed and/or fearful lawmakers to falsely claim they are all about public safety while passing laws that have little or no impact on public safety but waste millions of tax dollars that could truly make a difference.
Patty Wetterling, an outspoken opponent to what the public registry has become, whose son Jacob was abducted and after whom the Jacob Wetterling Act was named to establish a Public registry says it best: “We take everything away from those on the registry and then get mad at them when they do not succeed.” (ATSA National Conference 2013).
Legislators owe it to the citizens they represent to know the facts and enact laws accordingly.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I have a question for people who get off the registry. Many have said they were removed, then traveled to another state for the first time since they were arrested, then ended up on that state’s registry, even though they had committed not further crimes, nor ever in that state.
Does anyone know which states you can visit once off the registry that is not going to put you back on a registry? And lastly, how in the living Hell are they even finding out you are visiting in the first place if you do not have to register your travel once released?
Are people going down to the sheriff’s office and asking, triggering a registration?
That’s a fascinating question. I have seven years left before I can get off of the registry in the state which I live now. Since my charges occurred in Florida, I’ve wondered about what happens if I leave here and go elsewhere.
CJ:
I can only speak about Michigan. The Michigan State Police remove you from the registry automatically. Mine was 15 years ending in 2001. I went to the registration office in my birth month and they advised me to call MSP as I was no longer in the system. I called MSP and they said I was automatically removed for completing 15 years. That was in September of 2001. I went in Monday September 10th and didn’t call the next day because the terror attacks were all over the news. I called on Wednesday, September 12th and they advised me that I had completed 15 years in August and that I was no longer required to register.
Now let me ask you a question. Am I supposed to celebrate or mourn September 11th?
I am in the same position. I would like to go down to Florida in the winter but I’m afraid Florida will put me on their registry which is for life.
I was released in 2006. And labeled as a registered sex offender.
Since then I have built a business. I own and operate a business where I have employed many people and even have had a former police officer work for me.
I have endured not being able to vote, having to register, not being allowed to use facilities that I am taxed on to pay for. I have been harassed, had my complaints disregarded by the police, etc.
For the time being I vote with my wallet. I don’t support any businesses that discriminate against me whenever possible. I know it’s not a big thing. But, every little bit helps. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
The authorities don’t want us to vote because it will mess up their message. The message that we are all scum and that if we are allowed to vote we will vote for unspeakable things. (Fat chance!)
They don’t want the public to see that the registry doesn’t work. And that Sex offenders are less dangerous that just about ever other Ex-con they release from prison. Or that sex offenders can change and become not only contributing members of society but even (dare I say), a leading member of society!
Sadly, I don’t think this will happen in my life time. But, one day it will. And when it does people will look back on today’s times like they look back on womens sufferage or racial discrimination. Yes, things will change. But, who knows how long it will take.
One day someone will file a lawsuit in the courts to allow sex offenders to vote. And when they do, I will support such a cause financially.
Jim, voting with your wallet does work, and if we collectively took on our world with our economic influence, we wouldn’t see the level of harassment we currently experience. It takes all of us however. Sacrifice that trip to Disney, let them know you refuse to patronize their parks and merchandise, and find other places that don’t discriminate in this fashion and support them wholeheartedly. Disney has lost billions in lost park revenue this year, if we tell them now that we refuse to go, and they realize how much business they are losing, they may (quietly) have a change of heart.
I find it hard to see people and FAC in this forum suggesting ways to fly under the radar of an establishment that has made it clear they don’t want us there. I’d rather stand defiant with my dignity intact than to skulk around trying to slip my way through the cracks.
Well, congratulation on at least having a business. I’ve been in sales for 26 years (which I’m sick off) because I can’t get anything else. And since the covid shutdown hoax began I can’t even do that.
I plead no contention in 1999 (because I stupidly told my attorney I didn’t have access to more money) for ‘attempted’ solicitation (read no victim), I did 5 years of probation. I waited 7 years before applying (I was told that was required) and since 2012 my request for rights to be restored has been “pending”.
I called today 9/21/20 and was told that as of July 2013 the case hasn’t been “assigned” to anyone yet and that they couldn’t even tell me a “possible” time frame before it would be. Meanwhile, illegals, imaginary and dead people will vote in the next election cycle.
I believe that the restoration of rights in this state are an illusion and always will be.
Hello Jim, I do have a law suit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also want to file a law suit against the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for violating my civil liberties and civil rights. I have my rights restored back in 2003, full civil rights to vote and hold office as said conviction had not taken place, signed by a District Judge from ware my conviction had taken place. I move to Florida 8 months later have proof, I am unable to vote, unable to go to a vocational school, unable to raise our grandchild, I have to PAY every 6 months to them also. I am unable to get the funds together, I did pay on one suit and I did everything wrong so I am out of money. I need help in doing this.
All, this forum is not the place to seek legal advice. See instead FAC’s Attorney Referral Webpage.
What part of Florida do you live mark
Me spring hill
And may if want can chat have some advocate help maybe
Hello Crazy88,
Sorry about the delay in responding, I am at my wit’s end I have not got anywhere with this yet. I also had my case expunged in the State where my offence was.
Mark Lange:
Why do you stay in Florida? It makes more sense to live in a cold state off of the registry than in a warm state on the registry.
Hey there to whom it may concern, I have been in the system for almost 21 years. My charge was in 97, I have been off prob for almost 16 years. I finally woke up to what they are doing to me this year after a Disney trip went sour. They would not let me in and it hurt my 4 kids and wife to watch this happen. I told them ya’ll go to Disney don’t let what they do to me stop you from having fun. It hurts so much that I feel so lost but I know they do this to bring you to a level where you will give up. But not me, my fill and God arey only reasons to keep living. Because you are right our state government and legislature worry to much about their donors.
After the trespass warning expires, go buy your ticket with cash. No questions asked. They currently check the names of all registered guests that purchase tickets online against the registry but don’t do anything for walkup, cash buyers. If you even want to still go. Been through that one myself.
is disney still an issue? can an rso go in on a day pass? is it the season passes that have thebissue? i hear of people getting in but just afraid to even try.
DO NOT buy a season pass or a multi-day pass. If you want to take your kids, you need to buy tickets a day at a time. It’s more expensive, but consider it a penalty.
Anyone been able to go to disney now with the new rules?
What new rules?
Online all-ticket purchases now i believe due to the cv19.
What you all are missing is the following: 1). The states don’t want you to get your voting rights back because then they cannot pass laws because we could vote them out of office. Go Figure: How many sex offenders are there? How many votes does that equate to? Now, ask yourself why they want undocumented aliens to be able to vote? To offset the votes they lost for ex convicts.
We need inside help. All the good that Gail tires so hard for is coming to nothing. So I call for Gail to run for a legislator position and other people who have family members being affected by these laws and ordinances to run for these offices. Before long we would not only have a voice on the inside but a majority to put an end to all this.
Good thought James. Though I agree Gail would be a great legislator, I doubt this platform will get much support from the voters.
There are thousands of people with sex offences with thousands of families that includes mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters etc….believe me, the votes are there. And these very same families need to run for these positions also. It’s the only way we can fight with any chance of winning. Once they see that we are going after their jobs their way of thinking will change. Think a bit deeper on this. It’s our only chance for a change in the near future as these legislators or only pretending to listen and nod their heads with a fake sympathetic smile and then proceed to pass another statute or ordinance. It’s not working.
I agree for the most part. Why not exclude the crack dealer who will commit a sexual offense some day in the future. Or the auto thief who will also commit a sexual offense in the future. Why can’t we force them to quit referring to us in the derogatory term sex offender? They don’t call someone who was arrested for theft in the past as a thief for the rest of his life. But where I disagree with you is the contact your legislator. You know very well that they could care less. They just hang up after taking down to you and then laugh with their colleagues calling you a child molester whether you are one or not. What will make changes is when advertising calls for all families that have a family member being effected by these Draconian laws to vote these people out of office who are making U.s. Citizens refugees. They swore an oath to protect the constitution. Everyone is supposed to have equal rights. They are creating these nonsense laws to further their careers. Once they see that those very same careers are in jeopardy because of it then and only then will change come. Contact my legislator does not work all they ARE NOT my legislators. They declared me and you their enemy. So now it’s time to vote them out and let them know why so that the next one doesn’t follow in their footsteps.
I have been off supervision for over 10 years now.. requested my rights be restored over 5 years ago.. I have checked and was told that due to back logs it may take another 3 or more years to review my request. Tell me, where is the justice?
Al – there is some movement to restore felons’ civil rights automatically. The post you are responding to concerns that piece of legislation, which expressly excludes “sex offenders”. You should be calling/writing to your legislators and demanding it be applied to ALL former felons. A case like yours, where you’ve satisfied all your punitive sentence a decade ago, is a perfect example.
People also don’t realize that civil rights don’t just effect voting. You can’t obtain certain professional licenses without having your rights restored.