Sex offenders would not have to register for life under new bill
Some sex offenders in California would no longer have to register for life under a new bill approved by the Assembly's Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
The new measure creates a tiered system where sex offenders would register for ten years, 20 years or life.
California is one of only four states that requires lifetime registration for all convicted sex offenders. The measure creating the tiered system has the support of the California Sex Offender Management Board.
The bill's author said it will help focus limited resources on those most likely to re-offend.
"Since not all sex offenses are the same you not only get more bang for your buck, but you'll also have more effective law enforcement around the perpetrators that are the most egregious and do the horrible things that keep us up at night," Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, said.
Under the proposed registry system, non-violent offenders who are considered "low risk" and have gone ten years with no sex or violent offenses and no more than one felony would only have to register for ten years.
Those with a moderate risk of re-offending, who were convicted of a violent sex offense or molestation, would be in the second tier. And ,offenders with a record of sexual violence or mental disorders and multiple felonies would remain registered for life.
The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The new measure creates a tiered system where sex offenders would register for ten years, 20 years or life.
California is one of only four states that requires lifetime registration for all convicted sex offenders. The measure creating the tiered system has the support of the California Sex Offender Management Board.
The bill's author said it will help focus limited resources on those most likely to re-offend.
"Since not all sex offenses are the same you not only get more bang for your buck, but you'll also have more effective law enforcement around the perpetrators that are the most egregious and do the horrible things that keep us up at night," Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, said.
Under the proposed registry system, non-violent offenders who are considered "low risk" and have gone ten years with no sex or violent offenses and no more than one felony would only have to register for ten years.
Those with a moderate risk of re-offending, who were convicted of a violent sex offense or molestation, would be in the second tier. And ,offenders with a record of sexual violence or mental disorders and multiple felonies would remain registered for life.
The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Has the constitutionality of retroactive registration has been challenged through the CONTRACT LAW angle? If so, what's the result? I understand this case is in process, but Doe WAS required to register initially - only the terms of disclosure are being challenged. What if someone like me who WAS NOT required to register in any way when pleading guilty challenged it?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know? Please help me research this. I truly want to get off the Megan's Law website. My crime was re-classified and after 16 years of registering only with the police, my info was put up for public disclosure. I just lost my job because of it. Let's make this thing work - get a fund set up and hire a powerhouse lawyer to represent all the way up to the supreme court.
If you have any serious case history or precedents that could assist, please email below. With SOR laws getting draconian, it's only a matter of time before they start branding our foreheads and casting us into concentration camps.
I can be reached at a54986541a@ya*oo.c*m (asterisks to avoid spam).
Thank you and God Bless.
This is great news!!! Law enforcement could better protect the public by passing this bill. It's very misleading to look at all the red blips on the map, you think everyone is a violent preditor. Also perhaps more of the offenders in violation would register knowing there is an end to it.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us posted!