Showing posts with label Dumbest RSO Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dumbest RSO Law. Show all posts

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Nominate Dumbest RSO Law 2011


Another year, another barrage of stupid legislation. This is the thread to nominate the Dumbest RSO Laws award for 2011. You have until November 30, 2011 to nominate. Post your nominee in the comments section and I will list all current nominees here.

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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPXCln8njpZhKRANmNUhK_Uiabzk2RkiPr12YMop6c87rZ0qq7y_7Q6NrFTTlqqE3ujDnIHXdnwLpwpRyWN8M2VPeoZsKxZYnD11nVD_8im0dXYwwGTYFWURJP4lb1z4GMHoZF3ZV2Z9G/s1600/dont-mess-with-texas.gif Texas Law allows Department of Family and Protective Services allows caseworkers to add your name to the sex offender registry without a trial: 

This law is so messed up, State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, had to propose a bill, HB 1194, which would allow suspected abusers greater due process to challenge their inclusion in the registry. Before a name goes into the database, Zerwas wants the accused to be properly notified, have a copy of the record and access to swift appeal to a state administrative hearing judge.

Even the exonerated were added to the list.
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Missouri's Hallowed Grounds Act will ban sex offenders from burial in national cemetaries:


The "Hallowed Grounds Act," introduced by Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler, would prohibit an individual who is classified as a Tier III sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act from being buried at a veterans or national cemetery. A Tier III sex offender is one whose offenses against a child might include the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact."While veterans guilty of capital crimes have justly been denied burial in our national cemeteries, veterans guilty of sexual abuse of children are still entitled to these honors," Hartzler said. "Allowing these offenders to rest in fields of honor is an insult to America's military heroes. Furthermore, it is an outrage to the victims and their families."
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 AL HB 378, Alabama's SORNA Act:
  • Registered sex offenders who are homeless are required to check in once a week.
  • Those who do day labor must provide local law enforcement with details about where and when they will be working each day.
  • Sex offenders will have to pay a $10 fee every time they register. That same fee will also be charged for every move.
  • A travel permit is required through local law enforcement if a sex offender plans to be away from their residence for more than three days or if they plan to travel outside the area.
  • Those sex offenders who have been classified as sexual predators or convicted of sexually violent crimes will be required to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) for 10 years, at their own expense.
  • Some youthful offenders and juveniles, those charged with more serious sex crimes, will have to register for a lifetime instead of 10 years.
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Missouri's Amy Hestir Student Protection Act: "Under a new Missouri law, teachers who "friend" a current or former student on Facebook could soon run afoul of state codes...The new law states that teachers "cannot establish, maintain or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian." The legislation also bans teachers from using "a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student."  I understand why you'd want to discourage parent-teacher sexual relationships but this law takes it too far by implying that any time treachers and students talk its for sex.
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 Florida's HB 251, the "Walk in Their Shoes Act" (a.k.a. the Lauren Book Act): The Shiitake Awards just wouldn't be the same without some representation from Florida, would it? This is the Lauren Book law. What makes this bill dangerous is that this bill allows prior convictions or accusations to be admitted as evidence in trial, which all but guarantees a former offender will not get a fair trial. It also denies access to evidence in child porn accusations, which will bar defense attorneys from presenting adequate defense.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

2010 Stupid Legal Tricks Award Nominees

This is the category for the dumbest new law of 2010, and believe me, there are dumb ones coming out every year!
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The FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act: Included $1.1 TRILLION in reckless spending, but the clincher is giving $353.5 MILLION to the Adam Walsh Act!




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Missouri SB774, the "Body Fluid Assault" bill: Makes a crime specific to sex offenders in civil commitment centers, making it felony for inmates to sling body fluids (spit, feces, or urine, etc.) at officers; it is a Class C felony, and the intent is to send civilly committed inmates back to prison. It passed.


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West Virginia HB3102, Sex Offender Fees pays for police retirement: A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-12-2c, relating to requiring sex offenders to pay a fee which is to be deposited into the State Police Retirement Fund. Failure to pay gets up to 10 days in jail and a $100 fine.


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HR 1623, "International Megan's Law": H.R. 1623 mandates reporting requirements for convicted sex offenders intending to engage in international travel, providing advance notice of intended travel by risk sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, preventing entry into the United States by any foreign sex offender against a minor. In reality, it is the first step in barring registrants from travel altogether. It is currently pending in the Senate.

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HR 5072 The FHA Reform Act of 2010: If passed, will deny sex offenders with minors as victims from obtaining FHA loans (unless Amendment 12 of the FHA Reform Act is removed)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Nominate 2009 Dumbest Law of the Year

The dumbest sex offender law of 2008 was, without a doubt, the atrocious Adam Walsh Act. But 2009 is already starting with the latest wave in feel good yet counterproductive laws. The economy may tank the nominee pool, but I'm confident there will be more than enough dumb laws to fill this awards site. After all, sex offender legislation is still a politico's favorite trump card!

Friday, June 27, 2008

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!