Nominate the Dumbest Sex Offender Law 2008

[NOTE: POLLING FOR 2008 AWARDS CLOSED! Edited post reveals all nominees for the 2008 awards]

Pretty much every RSO law is ineffective and counterproductive, but some laws are simply incomprehensible. These laws are the epitome of stupidity, and deserve a star on the walk of shame.

There are so many of them-- where do we start?

My inaugural nominee for this Category is the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006! (I bet nobody is surprised)
http://www.oncefallen.com/AdamWalshAct.html
There are so many holes in the practice of this law, it could only be used for whale nets. Lets see, how about the mass confusion over how offenders would be reclassified, gives the NCMEC immunity from lawsuits for all their screwups, allows for the uncivil commitment of offenders on the basis of a "mental illness" (if mental illness is a risk actor, a lot of lawmakers would be suspect), calls for GPS "pilot programs" (the microchips are coming soon, BTW), and stiff mandatory minimums, among other nasties. I wonder why the Senate had to hold an "emergency meeting" to push this abomination through legislature? Why Johnny boy Walsh had to claim detractors here child molesters to strong-arm it through legislature (By the way, why is it named for someone who ISN'T a sex crime victim anyways?)? And why did Attorney General Gonzal-ASS have to exploit a loophole in AG office procedure to apply this law unconstituionally retroactive? Smells like shiitake to me! Blow-hio and Joke-lahoma have passed the Abominable Walsh Act in their states, sending thousands of low risk offenders like drunken mooners or teens having consentual sex with each other, into the "high risk" category. Not to mention the THOUSANDS of subsequent lawsuits, and more confusion over the application of this nonsensical law! I believe AWA will win hands down. However, I believe there are equally insane laws out there that needs the spotlight!

WarpedOhio said...
How about the KIDS Act of 2008?The Internet registration law, where Former Ofenders are supposed to register emails and screen names? Its a dumb and pointless law written by someone who CN'T TURN ON A COMPUTER! Can you say "computer illiterate?"
September 23, 2008 7:48 PM

Anonymous said...
There are so many because the concept is so flawed!

California's Proposition 83:Parolees aren't allowed to leave SF county but there is no place in SF county they are allowed to live.

Alabama's Community Notification Act:Makes it a felony for an RSO to be homeless - they must register an address or go back to jail.Can't communicate with family of victim. Many RSO's commit a felony by talking to themselves.Can't reside within 1000 yds of former victim. How can they obey this law without always knowing where the victim resides? Stalking is illegal.

Georgia's 42-1-15: So absurd that it's the only one that that is almost immediately overturned with each revision. RSO's can't die in a hospice if it's near a church.
October 22, 2008 4:20 PM

Anonymous said...
HR 3488 Camera Phone Law: Congress is trying to pass a law requiring camera on cell phones to make a sound when they take pictures because people allegedly take pics in dressing rooms using cell phone pics.
October 25, 2008 6:00 PM

Anonymous said...
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/NEWS/804060343/-1/NEWS01
Maine's "Visual Sexual Aggression Law," making excessive staring at minors a sex crime. And just how will you enforce it?
October 25, 2008 6:05 PM

Anonymous said...
http://cbs2chicago.com/national/sex.offenders.Pell.2.787104.html
Now Congress is denying Pell grants to Former Offenders as well! So now you can't get an education either?

Anonymous said...
http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/07/02/indiana-law-on-sexually-explicit-material-registration-is-rule-unconstitutional/
Indiana tried to force people who sell sexually explicit items to REGISTER and pay a fee. Luckily the state court struck it down
October 25, 2008 6:11 PM

Anonymous said...
www.oncefallen.com/HurricaneShelters.html
Laws designed to segregate Former Offenders in hurricane shelters, or even deny shelter
October 25, 2008 6:13 PM

And just in the nick of time...
Sex Offender Halloween Laws!