By Larry . . . The case of The People of the State of Michigan v. Paul Betts is an awesome win for our cause. The Michigan Supreme Court was asked to decide whether the retroactive application of Michigan’s Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA), MCL 28.721 et seq., as amended by 2011 PA 17 and 18 (the 2011 SORA), violates state and…
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Colorado court of appeals says internet prohibition is constitutional
By Larry . . . It is constitutional to prohibit internet access according to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Christopher Landis appealed his probationary sentence for attempted sexual assault on a child. He argued that the conditions of his probation restricting his use of the internet and social media violate (1) the governing Colorado statutory scheme and (2) his rights…
Read MoreFantastic win in South Carolina
By Larry . . . The case of Dennis J. Powell Jr. v. Mark Keel, Chief, and The State of South Carolina was an awesome victory for our cause. This appeal was the result of the circuit court’s granting summary judgment in favor of Dennis Powell, Jr. on his claims challenging the internet publication and lifetime duration of his mandated registration as…
Read MoreFantastic News for Non-New Mexico Convictions
LJC is delighted to report to you that registrants with non-New Mexico convictions will soon be entitled to due process before they are listed on the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) website. This is a direct result of LJC’s lawsuit and subsequent work, and it becomes effective today, July 1, 2021. This is a monumental achievement and we…
Read MoreJudge in Menges registry case rules equal protection for consensual gay sex
By Larry . . . The case of Menges v. Knudsen is a challenge against the attorney general of the state of Montana and various other governmental officials in their official capacities. See Menges v. Knudsen, CV 20–178–M–DLC, United Stated District Court for the District of Montana. Plaintiff Randall Menges filed suit on December 9, 2020. He asserted that Montana’s registration requirement is unconstitutional…
Read MoreJacob Wetterling’s mother urges reforming the registry
The Free Press, Mankato, Minn. Patty Wetterling lost a son to the actions of a sex offender. But she now has misgivings about a sex offender registry she helped create. Wetterling’s son Jacob was abducted and killed in 1989 in central Minnesota by an area man. After Jacob’s disappearance, Wetterling worked to establish a sex offender registry that would help…
Read MoreLegislative Update #7
The New Mexico Legislature will adjourn at noon on Saturday. At this point, none of the bills we are tracking have moved to the finish line. LJC Opposes HB 56: Our number one priority is defeating HB 56 which is the SORNA and Human Trafficking proposal. Much of the proposal centers on hype about Jeffrey Epstein and the fact that even…
Read MoreWho bears the burden of proof in a criminal case?
By Larry . . . NARSOL is excited to announce the filing of an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of Stephen May’s Petition for a Writ of Certiorari. It is important to understand that the Supreme Court declines to hear most cases in which review is sought, which means all petitioners face very long odds. As a…
Read MoreLegislative Update #6
Since our last update, none of the bills we are tracking have moved to the finish line. LJC is working diligently to make certain that House Bill 56, the SORNA overhaul bill, does not pass the Senate. More notably, House Bill 201, the early probation release bill, has passed the House with broad bipartisan support. House Bill 56 – Oppose…
Read MoreNARSOL conference 2021 on the horizon
By Robin . . . Out of an abundance of caution and consideration for your health and safety, the national conference has been rescheduled for October 8-10, 2021. The theme and location for the conference will not change, and we are excited about the line-up of speakers and presenters who have already committed to be with us in Houston, Texas this…
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