California lawmakers this week will take up a subject regarded as politically risky: amendments to a sex offender measure, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Backers say the changes to AB1844 would focus the state's limited resources on the worst child molesters and would make great strides toward fixing how California deals with people found guilty of sex crimes--even if, at first glance, some of its provisions appear to ease restrictions for some convicted criminals. Perhaps just as unusual--the revised bill is the result of a rare bipartisan collaboration.
For years, experts on the issue have complained that state laws were determined more by sound-bite politics than policies that improve public safety and protect children. Elected leaders, wary of accusations that they were being soft on sexual predators, have historically stayed clear of reforming such laws, except to make them harsher. The proposal is called Chelsea's Law, after a San Diego teen killed by a registered sex offender in February. Like many legislative responses to horrific crimes against children, it began as a punitive measure that would have increased the sentences and parole terms given to child molesters. Changes made last month include tailoring those sentencing and parole requirements to specific crimes, instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Posted by yellowroselady
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 08:28
I hope all the states will take a long hard look at the cost of the sex offender laws, registry, ruined lives and collateral family damage. Please educate yourselves and empower your legislators to make the right decisions without lambasting them for “being too soft on crimes against children!” Situations should be individually reviewed (i.e., contact vs. non-contact and violent vs. non-violent) and a risk assessment done by a licensed professional with no monitary gain from the outcome.
Some facts to be considered:
87% of new offenses of a sexual nature are NOT caused by folks on the registry. The majority of new offenses are committed by individuals who are first time offenders which means they are not on the registry. (Justice Policy Institute Pg 13)
In many states people who urinate in public, teens in a consensual sexual dating relationship, adults who sell sex to other adults, and kids who expose themselves as a prank are required to register. (Human Rights Watch Pg 8)
“The system is broken” (AWA Laws) John Walsh said, “It’s overwhelmed and I think the public is starting to realize that.” (CBS Broadcast)
Human Rights Watch found that only 5 states provided enough understandable information on the on-line registries for the public to be able to interpret the charge and the age of both the registrant and victim. This may be one of the reasons that the public incorrectly assumes that everyone on the registry is listed because of an offense involving a child. (Justice Policy Institute, Pg 13)
Do a search for SORNA, which is Title 1 of the AWA Act and see what it will cost our state to come into compliance. All but 3 states have either asked for an extension or decided they can better afford to lose the Byrne Fund Money (10%) than spend the millions of dollars more into a system that is broken.
Posted by Yellowroselady
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 08:25
I hope all the states will take a long hard look at the cost of the sex offender laws, registry, ruined lives and collateral family damage. Please educate yourselves and empower your legislators to make the right decisions without lambasting them for “being too soft on crimes against children!” Situations should be individually reviewed (i.e., contact vs. non-contact and violent vs. non-violent) and a risk assessment done by a licensed professional with no monitary gain from the outcome.
Some facts to be considered:
87% of new offenses of a sexual nature are NOT caused by folks on the registry. The majority of new offenses are committed by individuals who are first time offenders which means they are not on the registry. (Justice Policy Institute Pg 13)
In many states people who urinate in public, teens in a consensual sexual dating relationship, adults who sell sex to other adults, and kids who expose themselves as a prank are required to register. (Human Rights Watch Pg 8)
“The system is broken” (AWA Laws) John Walsh said, “It’s overwhelmed and I think the public is starting to realize that.” (CBS Broadcast)
Human Rights Watch found that only 5 states provided enough understandable information on the on-line registries for the public to be able to interpret the charge and the age of both the registrant and victim. This may be one of the reasons that the public incorrectly assumes that everyone on the registry is listed because of an offense involving a child. (Justice Policy Institute, Pg 13)
Do a search for SORNA, which is Title 1 of the AWA Act and see what it will cost our state to come into compliance. All but 3 states have either asked for an extension or decided they can better afford to lose the Byrne Fund Money (10%) than spend the millions of dollars more into a system that is broken.
Posted by getagrip
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 08:02
It’s about time. I know of someone who was caught masturbating in public. No one saw his wienie. However he was convicted of indecent exposure. That’s all. The state is spending an enormous amount of money on him. He wears a GPS and attends 6 hours of sex offender classes per week for several years. There is something wrong with this picture. It’s about time that the cowardly politicians stand up and do the obvious. Get back to basics on Jessica’s Law – it was supposed to be reserved for child molesters not weenie wagers. Also, get rid of the residency restriction- everyone knows it’s a joke.