News for Florida Sex Offenders
Weekly Update 2017-11-23
Dear Members and Advocates,
This week, as in years past, we struggle to find a positive message to share in light of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
For many reading this message, it’s a struggle to find something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is supposed to be more meaningful than turkey and football. It’s about family reunions and sitting down to a festive meal with loved ones. Unfortunately, many of us, because of cruel ordinances, cannot attend these events.
Thanksgiving is supposed to commemorate the Pilgrim’s arrival in America. Unfortunately, many of us feel betrayed by our country, who has seemingly forgotten it’s founding principles, “with liberty and justice for all.” Now, with International Megan’s Law, those who would chose to leave it rather than love it, don’t have that choice either.
Despite the struggle to overcome the adversity we face, we hope that by receiving this message, you know that you have a family and you are part of a community. Know (and see) that there are people fighting for our rights and lawsuits taking place in Florida and across the country. Things will change! Change is slow and the battle is uphill, but as we send a “thanksgiving” message year after year, it’s a reminder that we’re still in the fight, we’re growing in numbers, we’re gaining in strength, we’re making strides!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee.
SOME HEADLINES FROM THIS WEEK
FDLE offers guidance on reporting address changes to DHSMV
A couple of weeks ago, we wrote to the FDLE for clarification of what rules must be followed when someone establishes a new permanent or transient address. We were contacted by a member, already on the Florida Registry, who went to visit family in another county….
Oklahoma Senator pleads guilty to child sex trafficking
Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shorty presented himself as a moral and conservative guy when it came to issues such as abortion and religion. In 2011 he co-sponsored a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks. In 2012, a bill requiring abortion providers to inform the…
Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Create a “Snowball Effect”
Those familiar with Southeast Florida know the city of Miami Beach is an Island. To get to Miami Beach from the city of Miami, visitors would take Interstate 195. I-195, which is also called the “Julia Tuttle Causeway”, is a 4.4-mile-long freeway comprised of a large…
California Men Sue Over Gay Sex Stings
Five California Men are Suing the City of San Jose after being arrested in a “gay sex sting.” The charges against them were eventually dismissed, but undoubtedly much damage was done regardless. The men claim their Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated…
Internet Identifier Update? Last update I could locate was back on Oct 25, 2017, and related information on “a hearing on the parties’ for Summary Judgment, will take place tomorrow, October 26, 2017 at 10AM before JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE, United States Courthouse, Courtroom 5 East, 111 North Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida 32301.”
No Order has been issued YET
Any whispers of when it will be issued?
Ruling from same Judge that I just came across from last month. Not sure why this was not profiled here but I believe it shows a bit how he thinks. 14 Page ruling in favor of John Doe who moved here and Florida wanted to keep on the Registry
https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/15308839/DOE_v_SWEARINGEN
Thank you for this! We will certainly look into this case immediately.
Cant read details but see some summary judgement about resgiatration. Fac, would you please comment? First time ive ever seen that.
Doe Vs Swearingen Registry Unconstitutional as applied to this individual. Honorable Judge Hinkle
https://file.io/IedyzN
Somebody please find a permanent home this link expires in 14 days.
Anonymous – we reviewed the pleadings and order in this case and it is an “as applied” challenge with a very, very, very narrow fact pattern. In summary, this individual was not required to register as a consequence of his conviction in CT. Moved to FL afterwards, in 1996, where the registry didn’t even exist and his offense was not one of the offenses that required registration.
I don’t think the case would only be useful to less than one percent of our membership, but confuse the other 99.