Al,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is very encouraging that you were able to accomplish so much (even re-uniting with your grandson). It is also very encouraging to hear that he has been able to accomplish so much too.
The CA decision only impacted California. In Florida, FAC is Plaintiff in a lawsuit that is challenging the residency restrictions and hopefully we will find some relief there.
With lifetime registration, housing for seniors is something that will become critical in this State and something they will need to start thinking about.
I would suggest starting sooner than later and contacting some social services agencies to see what they suggest. The sooner they realize the problem they will have on their hands, the less they will push for ineffective laws that will make life impossible.

I can honestly say that with my arrest, I immediately admitted my offense and with my family support and our Pastor’s help, turned my life around right then. With the sex-offender group counseling helping me master ways to overcome the old ways of thinking and acting. I wanted to be sure that I never hurt another individual. I can’t work with youth any longer (I was an educator with many years and no other offenses), so I focused on senior citizens. I run classes for them (esp. low-income seniors) helping them acquire refurbished computers and learning to use them in eight-month classes. I am now 80 and just retired as a University Professor in February 2014.

I am so grateful that my wife stuck by me through all this – as did the entire family and my employers and church friends. However, there were many rough times when I wasn’t sure we’d make it – but we did (celebrating 54 years together this year). We worry about the time we will need assisted living and can’t move into suitable living arrangements because they are all within the residency exclusion zones. Our son is in Alaska and we’d love to go see him but can’t drive or cruise to Alaska because that would mean going through Canada and I understand RSOs aren’t allowed over the border – although we can legally go to other countries. Although done with probation, the Broward Sheriff Deputies, in full battle gear, still come to the house monthly – even when we have a house full of guests. I visited Northern Florida and had to register there (as we have to do each time we travel anywhere) and was given a form stating that on Halloween, we would have to post a sign on the front lawn with 2″ letters high stating ,”No Candy Will Be Given Out at This House.” Talk about your marks burned on the forehead!

When I read about the California decision overruling residency requirements, I first thought it was the U.S. Supreme Court and I thought, “Now, we can move when and where we need.” Although disappointed when I saw it was only California, I thought positively that maybe FAC would be able to help get this ruling nationwide!

The negative impacts on both the RSO and the families are mentioned but words fail to convey the anxiety, frustration, and helplessness the Registry causes – especially in light of the realization that the evidence shows that it does little or no good. I liked the comments of the MA State Rep, Heroux, where he says, “Sex offenders and their families are routinely affected in those ways by the registry and none of that helps to keep our communities safer.” And I was especially encouraged to see our author point out that he recognized, “According to Heroux himself, registered sex offenders–including any who might be pedophiles–are very unlikely to commit another sex offense, so why the special attention to pedophiles? Probably because there is no easier target than the fearsome pedophile and the suggestion that pedophiles get extra-special treatment on the registry is a sop to his pro-registry constituents.”

I applaud FAC for bringing such information to us and I hope that as a group we can be effective in bringing better education to those who make these decisions.