The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) is dedicated to protecting the Constitution by restoring the civil rights of registrants and their families. In order to achieve that objective, ACSOL will educate and litigate as well as support or oppose legislation.
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Social distancing is pressing officials across the country to skip traditional methods such as jailing people for “technical violations” like missing check-ins. Full Article
[By Guy Hamilton-Smith, an ACSOL board member, a 2019 JustLeadershipUSA fellow, and a contributor to The Appeal and Slate. You can read more of his writing on his website] The Maryland Court of Appeals — Maryland’s highest court — issued an opinion this week that, effectively, calls a spade a spade: that being listed on a sex offense registry constitutes punishment. In Rogers v. State, the appellant had...
[politico.com - 4/2/20] New York State is poised to enact a ban on some sex offenders in New York’s mass transit system, a move long sought by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and long dreaded by civil libertarians. The state budget that leaders are now finalizing would allow judges to ban individuals convicted of some sex crimes in mass transit from using the system for...
Emotional Support Group phone meetings will be held for those convicted of a sex offense and their loved ones. They are based upon the format of 12 Step meetings. They provide registrants and their loved ones with an opportunity to discuss personal challenges and share their experiences, strengths and hopes, with each other. Due to the pandemic, only PHONE Emotional Support Group meetings will...
[leoaffairs.com - 4/1/20] Sex offenders in western New York have been released as part of the pandemic, with several currently being housed in a Holiday Inn Express. The Level 3 offenders, who were released as part of the outbreak, have drawn the attention of local journalists, citizens and police officials alike, particularly in the town of Greece. “Among the inmates known to be staying...
The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) is requesting review by the California Supreme Court of the requirement that individuals register in person at local law enforcement agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The request was submitted earlier today, however, the Court has not yet formally acknowledged receipt of that request. "Because it is impossible to obtain relief from the state's Superior Courts, which...
[floridaactioncommittee.org - 3/31/20] A member pointed something out that we were not aware of, but in times of crisis (such as we are in), becomes critical to businesses. The US Small Business Administration (SBA) provides small businesses with low interest loans to help recover from disasters, including the present financial disaster that is caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. The loans can save companies and...
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Mar
2020
[floridaactioncommittee.org - 3/30/20] Even in states of emergency, governments take any opportunity to kick persons required to register as sex offenders. With a county-wide order for people to stay indoors now in effect, the city of Tampa is establishing a tent city that will allow up to 100 homeless people to shelter in place. The city will pay Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg...
[ACSOL] It’s just come to my attention that Attorney General Barr recently issued a memorandum purporting to address the problem of COVID-19 for federal prisons, by recommending consideration of release from federal prison to home confinement. In the federal system there is a regular program allowing many prisoners to be released near the end of their sentence to “halfway houses”, which are run by private contractors. Many in...
[eff.org - 3/27/20] As the pandemic unfolds, state agencies should take a flexible approach to enforcement of restrictions on inmates’ ability to connect with the outside world. By Mark Rumold COVID-19 has trapped many of us in our homes, isolating us from family and friends and limiting our movements. But there are few people who feel the isolating impacts of COVID-19 more acutely than...
[ocregister.com - 3/30/20] Placentia is racing to put the final touches on what city leaders say is a first-of-its kind facility that will offer emergency shelter, help finding jobs and housing and other types of counseling and aid to homeless people in north Orange County. The shelter is expected to start accepting people Tuesday, March 31. ... (The centers will take clients by referral...
[ACSOL] The States of Pennsylvania and Oregon have temporarily suspended in-person registration for all registrants in those state. Instead of in-person registration, Pennsylvania is allowing registrants to register by mail, if needed, and Oregon is allowing registrants to register by telephone. "Pennsylvania and Oregon are protecting the public, including registrants and their families, from further infection of COVID-19 by suspending in-person registration," stated ACSOL...
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Mar
2020
[inforum.com - 3/29/20] FARGO — The Fargo Police Department is allowing sex offenders to register by phone in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, while other local law enforcement agencies continue the registration process with few changes. Fargo police made the switch March 19, the same day it closed the lobby of its headquarters. The department is making several adjustments to its...
[mitchellhamline.edu - 3/28/20] SEX OFFENSE LITIGATION AND POLICY RESOURCE CENTER Strategies for reducing COVID-19 exposure by revising the implementation of registration policies, housing banishment laws, and other restrictions impacting people with convictions MARCH 28, 2020 – We join numerous criminal justice organizations that have issued policy recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by suspending or eliminating non-essential police and court functions, while ensuring...
[floridaactioncommittee.org - 3/27/20] BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA – March 27, 2020. The Florida Action Committee (FAC), the ACLU of Florida and the Florida Justice Institute are calling on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to temporarily suspend the requirement that persons required to register for past sexual offenses appear in-person at the Sheriff’s office to report during the Coronavirus state of emergency. Florida Statutes mandate in-person reporting...
[ACSOL] The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) filed today a fifth lawsuit challenging in-person registration for all registrants, including those with high-risk COVID-19 factors. This lawsuit was filed against the San Diego County Sheriff's Department which registers more than 3,200 individuals each year. "The plaintiffs in today's lawsuit include a 72-year-old man who suffers from hypertension as well as a 51-year-old man...
27
Mar
2020
[ACSOL] A group of 60 organizations, including ACSOL, are jointly requesting that parole and probation agencies in California modify existing supervision conditions, policies and practices to align with public health recommendations in order to protect the lives of more than 400,000 people under their supervision. Included in the request is the end of in-person registration. "ACSOL and its members need to share the list...
27
Mar
2020
[rootandrebound.org - 3/26/20] Dear Community, As an organization that serves, supports, and advocates for the rights of people who have been impacted by mass incarceration--people who are currently and formerly incarcerated and their families, we understand that people are struggling right now in the midst of this pandemic. We believe that the strongest organizations are those that are willing to be responsive, to learn,...
In August 2017 I wrote a blog piece for Women Against Registry titled “No More Suicides, Please”. Almost 3 years later I’m still receiving notices of comments on that piece, notices that have prompted me to touch on this subject again. Knowing what we know about the way some registrants and their families have been treated, it’s no wonder some registrants, and even their...
[floridaactioncommittee.org - 3/26/20] The Law Review article linked to below was written by Kenneth H. Browning, a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. He examines ethics in the sex offender registration scheme and questions whether it is ethical to sweep up everybody into a common dust bin. Read the full article on floridaactioncommittee.org