In The News

Lawmakers Look at Reclassifying Sex Offenders (MO), February 20, 2012:
http://www.missourinet.com/2012/02/20/lawmakers-look-at-reclassifying-sex-offenders/
(Yes, Missouri!)

Should We Reform the Sex Offender Registry? February 20, 2012:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/should-we-reform-sex-offender-registry

Convicted Sex Offender Challenges Lifetime Facebook Ban, February 20, 2012:
Federal lawsuit seeks access to social media for sex offenders
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-convicted-sex-offender-challenges-lifetime-facebook-ban-20120220,0,3817983.column

Virginia Wants Sex Offender Locked up Beyond Sentence, February 19, 2012:
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/virginia-wants-sex-offender-locked-beyond-sentence

Highlights From DOJ Testimony to US Sentencing Commission About Federal Sentencing Concerns, February 18, 2012:
http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2012/02/highlight-from-doj-testimony-to-us-sentencing-commission-about-federal-sentencing-concerns.html

Naperville Man, Now Sex Offender, Hoping for 2nd Chance, February 18, 2012:
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/crosby/10643287-418/denise-crosby-naperville-man-now-sex-offender-hoping-for-2nd-chance.html

Sex Offender Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature (UT), February 17, 2012:
http://news.hjnews.com/news/article_06da659a-5915-11e1-8687-0019bb2963f4.html

Lawmakers Consider Computer Crimes Task Force Bill (ME), February 17, 2012:
Bill Would Also Make Changes To Sex Offender Registry
http://www.wmtw.com/r/30482797/detail.html

Missouri Bill Would Change Sex Offender Registrations, February 16, 2012:
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/16/3432521/missouri-bill-would-change-sex.html

Jindal Will Appeal Ruling Against Sex Offender Bill (LA), February 16, 2012:
Gov. Bobby Jindal angrily criticized U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson’s ruling Thursday that the new law banning child predators from using Facebook and other social media is unconstitutional and says he will appeal the decision.
Jackson said the language in the legislation authored by last session Rep. Ledricka Thierry, D-Opelousas, is so broad it is a “near total ban on Internet access.”
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120217/NEWS01/202170322

Governor Jindal Blasts Court For Siding With Sex Offenders (LA), February 16, 2012:
http://www.katc.com/news/governor-jindal-blasts-court-for-siding-with-sex-offenders/

State-Sanctioned Rape: Trans-Vaginal Ultrasound Laws in Virginia, Texas, and Iowa February 15, 2012:
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/article/2012/02/15/government-sanctioned-rape-in-state-virginia-and-texas

Fascinating DOJ Testimony to US Sentencing Commission About Child Porn Sentencing, February 15, 2012:
http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/sex_offender_sentencing/

Little Outcry Over Loss of Sex Offender List Funds (NE), February 15, 2012:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/701119870

SORNA: North Carolina Balks; Researchers Conclude SORNA Ineffective, February 14, 2012:
http://www.njjn.org/article/sorna-north-carolina-balks-researchers-conclude-sorna-ineffective–
(N.C. joins New York, Texas, California, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska in NOT becoming Federal Adam Walsh Act/SORNA compliant)

Victims Say He’s Not Guilty, But Former Lorain County Man Still a Registered Sex Offender (OH), February 14, 2012:
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/victims-say-hes-innocent-but-former-lorain-county-man-still-a-registered-sex-offender

Okla. House Seeks to Strengthen Sex Offender Laws, February 14, 2012:
http://www.ktul.com/story/16931869/okla-house-seeks-to-strengthen-sex-offender-laws

Utah Lawmakers Poised to Pass Bill Allowing Civil Commitment of Mentally Ill Sex Offenders, February 14, 2012:
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e7155d8099ab4fa688753282364ef5b8/UT-XGR–Sex-Offender-Release/

Georgia’s Sex Offender Restrictions Depend on When Offense Occurred, February 13, 2012:
Restrictions vary by date of crime
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2012-02-12/georgias-sex-offender-restrictions-depend-when-offense-occurred

Kids Who Commit Sex Crimes Low Risk to Re-Offend, February 13, 2012:
http://www.kptm.com/story/16927175/kids-who-commit-sex-crimes-low-risk-to-re-offend

Louisiana Sex Offender Case May be Appealed to SCOTUS, February 13, 2012:
The case perfectly illustrates due process problems cropping up in state sex offender programs throughout the nation
http://news.avn.com/articles/Louisiana-Sex-Offender-Case-May-be-Appealed-to-SCOTUS-464280.html

US Judges Balk at Rigid Child Porn Sentences, February 12, 2012:
http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-12/metro/31050543_1_sentencing-guidelines-federal-judges-sentencing-commission
(A MUST Read!)

Man Stuck Between Clashing Sex Offender Registration Laws, February 12, 2012:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2012-02-11/man-stuck-between-clashing-sex-offender-registration-laws?v=1328973288

Oklahoma Law Change Will Put 130 Sex Offenders Out of Ministry-run Trailer Park, February 12, 2012:
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-law-change-will-put-130-sex-offenders-out-of-ministry-run-trailer-park/article/3648042

Appeals Courts Overturns Injunction on Adam Walsh Legislation, February 12, 2012:
Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced today that the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals issued an opinion today in ACLU v. Masto, granting the state’s request to overturn an injunction against enforcement of Nevada’s Adam Walsh Act.
http://carsonnow.org/reader-content/02/11/2012/appeals-courts-overturns-injunction-adam-walsh-legislation

Teens Step Up to Fight Sexual Abuse Crimes (Virginia), February 11, 2012:
http://www.nbc29.com/story/16915004/teens-step-up-to-fight-sexual-abuse-crimes

Senate Passes Bills Requiring Registration of Juvenile Sex Offenders, Life Sentence for Others (Virginia), February 10, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/senate-passes-bills-requiring-registration-of-juvenile-sex-offenders-life-sentence-for-others/2012/02/10/gIQA1nZM4Q_story.html

Sex Offender Enrolled at Fargo High School (ND), February 10, 2012:
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/58983/group/homepage/

Sex Offender Bill Introduced (RI), February 9, 2012:
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/sex-offender-bill-introduced

$408K Grant to Rehab Young Sex Offenders (AL), February 8, 2012:
http://westmontgomery.wsfa.com/news/news/141171-408k-grant-rehab-young-sex-offenders

State Cuts $8.5M to L.A. County for Services Like Sex Offender Registry, February 8, 2012:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19924401

Cherokee Nation Attorney General’s Office Warns Council on Sex Offender Bill, February 8, 2012:
http://congress-courts-legislation.blogspot.com/2012/02/cherokee-nation-attorney-generals.html

Hundreds Kept Imprisoned In Georgia Despite Serving Their Sentences, February 7, 2012:
http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2012/02/07/hundreds-kept-imprisoned-georgia-despite-serving-their-sentences

Group Wants More Money to Catch Sexual Predators (Virginia), February 7, 2012:
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wtvr-group-wants-more-money-to-catch-sexual-predators-20120207,0,4585088.story

Cuccinelli, Bedford Sheriff Seek Funds to Catch Sex Predators (Virginia), February 7, 2012:
http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/feb/07/cuccinelli-bedford-sheriff-seek-funds-catch-sex-pr-ar-1671900/

Commission Undecided on Sex Offender Proposal (NM), February 7, 2012:
http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-02-07/commission-undecided-sex-offender-proposal

School Sex Abuse Scandal: Removal of All Teachers Protested, February 7, 2012:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/sex-allegations-los-angeles-school.html

Abuse Probe: Entire Staff Removed at L.A. School, February 7, 2012:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2106302,00.html

Irvin Sex Offender Classification Changes, but Not Requirements, February 7, 2012:
Irvin’s appeal was one of several put on hold while the Ohio Supreme Court awaited the decision in Stave v. Williams. In July, the court determined it was unconstitutional to retroactively apply the provisions of the Adam Walsh Act to offenders whose offenses pre-date the law’s enactment. In October, the court ruled Irvin’s classification should be done in accordance with Megan’s Law.
Under the Adam Walsh Act, offenders are ranked as Tier I, II, or III based solely upon the offense committed. Under Megan’s Law, offenders had a hearing in which the judge weighed a number of factors, including court testimony, statements at the classification hearing, history and the victims’ ages to determine whether they should be classified as a sexually oriented offender, habitual sex offender or sexual predator
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120207/NEWS01/202070309/Irvin-sex-offender-classification-changes-not-requirements?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cs

Editorial: Keep Politics Out of Sex Offender Release (MN), February 7, 2012:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/138896229.html

Lake County Toughens Restrictions on Sex Offenders (FL), February 7, 2012:
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/crime-law/lake-county-toughens-restrictions-sex-offenders/nHXGK/

Utah House OKs Changes to Sex-Offender Registry, February 7, 2012:
The Utah House on Tuesday unanimously passed a measure Tuesday that would allow some people stuck on the sex-offender registry for the least egregious crimes to petition their way off the list.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53464039-90/sex-bill-registry-draxler.html.csp

Cuccinelli Rallying To Prevent Sex Offenders From Striking (Virginia), February 7, 2012:
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/02/07/cuccinelli-rallying-to-prevent-sex-offenders-from-striking/

Proposed Law Could Further Limit Where Sex Offenders Live (WY), February 6, 2012:
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/02/06/news/19local_02-06-12.txt

Innocent Man Who Died in Prison Gets Marker, February 6, 2012:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/state&id=8533489

McDonnell Wanted Conservative Assembly, Now its Right Turn Forces Hard Choices of VP Prospect (Virginia), February 5, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/mcdonnell-wanted-conservative-assembly-now-its-right-turn-forces-hard-choices-of-vp-prospect/2012/02/05/gIQA7FEirQ_story.html?tid=pm_local_pop

New DNA Test Could Exonerate Man Convicted of 1978 Rape (Virginia), February 5, 2012:
Bennett S. Barbour
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2012/feb/05/tdmain01-new-dna-test-could-exonerate-man-convicte-ar-1665062/

Revenge Mum Used Child Porn to Frame Partner, February 3, 2012:
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/9510606.Revenge_mum_used_child_porn_to_frame_partner/

Adam Walsh Act Reignites Debate Over Sex Offender Policies, February 3, 2012:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120203/ARTICLES/120209899/1004/ARTICLES?Title=Adam-Walsh-Act-reignites-debate-over-sex-offender-policies

Target 11 Investigates New Restrictions for Registered Sex Offenders (PA), February 3, 2012:
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/target-11-investigates-new-restrictions-registered/nHS72/

Suit: CLTV Broadcasts Pic of Wrong Man as Sexual Assault Suspect, February 3, 2012:
http://falserapesociety.blogspot.com/2012/02/suit-cltv-broadcasts-pic-of-wrong-man.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheFalseRapeSociety+%28The+False+Rape+Society%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Give Child Offenders Chance at Rehabilitation (Virginia), February 2, 2012:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/oped/2012/feb/02/tdopin02-give-child-offenders-chance-at-rehabilita-ar-1657068/
(HB624, SB412, HB973 and SB436)

Penn State Case Spurs a Raft of New Abuse Bills in Virginia, February 2, 2012:
Virginia legislators are considering a dozen proposals to strengthen the state’s reporting requirements.
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/304292

Dr. Jill Levenson: Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Impede Safety Goals, February 2, 2012:
http://jurist.org/hotline/2012/02/jill-levenson-sexoffenders-residency.php
(A MUST Read!)

Virginia State Senate Rejects Proposal to Try Repeat Juvenile Offenders as Adults, February 2, 2012:
http://jjie.org/virginia-state-senate-rejects-proposal-automatically-try-repeat-juvenile-offenders-as-adults/71771

Sex Offenders Winning on Appeal (RI), February 2, 2012:
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/target_12/target-12-sex-offenders-winning-on-appeal

State Lawmakers Poised to Ban Sex Offenders from Circulating Petitions (SD), February 2, 2012:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/state-lawmakers-poised-to-ban-sex-offenders-from-circulating-petitions/article_a4d8122e-4d5d-11e1-9a36-0019bb2963f4.html

Collateral Consequences: Why Bar Sex Offenders From Business Loans? February 2, 2012:
http://www.palisadeshudson.com/2012/02/collateral-consequences-why-bar-sex-offenders-from-business-loans/

Let the Judges Do Their Jobs (Virginia), February 1, 2012:
Bills that would try more youths as adults could increase juvenile crime rates
http://m.roanoke.com/mapp/story.aspx?arcid=304214
(HB624, SB412, HB973 and SB436)

Sex Offender Bill Rejected (CA), February 1, 2012:
http://www.kmjnow.com/pages/landing?Sex-Offender-Bill-Rejected=1&blockID=584192&feedID=806

Colson: Extending Mercies to Ex-offenders, January 31, 2012:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/rtd-opinion/2012/jan/31/tdopin02-extending-mercies-to-ex-offenders-ar-1651098/

Juvenile Penalties Would Go Too Far (Virginia), January 30, 2012:
http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2012/01/juvenile-penalties-would-go-too-far
(HB624, SB412, HB973 and SB436)

Bill To Try More Virginia Juveniles As Adults Rejected, January 30, 2012:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/virginia/bill-to-try-more-virginia-juveniles-as-adults-rejected-013012

School Backs Off Claim that Playground Touching by 6-Year-Old Was Sexual Assault, January 30, 2012:
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/school_backs_off_claim_that_playground_touching_by_6-year-old_was_sexual_as/

The Caging of America, January 30, 2012:
Why do we lock up so many people?
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/01/30/120130crat_atlarge_gopnik

Commentary: How to Fake Sexual Violence Rates and Produce Scary Numbers, January 30, 2012:
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/30/politics/how-to-fake-sexual-violence-rates-and-produce-big-numbers/

Sex Offender’s Suicide Raises Questions About Treatment, January 30, 2012:
http://www.kjonline.com/news/sex-offenderssuicide-raisesquestionsabout-treatment_2012-01-29.html

Editorial: Ensuring Teen Offenders Can’t be Rehabilitated (Virginia) , January 29, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ensuring-teen-offenders-cant-be-rehabilitated/2012/01/27/gIQAXpOxaQ_story.html

National Driver Registry, January 29, 2012:
http://congress-courts-legislation.blogspot.com/2012/01/national-driver-registry-ndr.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CongressCourtsAndNationalLegislationccl+%28Congress%2C+Courts+and+National+Legislation+%28CCL%29%29

Unique Plea Agreement Gives Hope to Defense Attorney, January 29, 2012:
http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/courthouse/unique-plea-agreement-gives-hope-to-defense-attorney/article_22a70cc8-4a2a-11e1-b854-0019bb2963f4.html

The Cautionary Instruction: SCOTUS ruling signals more trouble for Adam Walsh Act? January 27, 2012:
http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/news/ipso-facto/31701-the-cautionary-instruction-scotus-ruling-signals-more-trouble-for-adam-walsh-act

US: Number of Aging Prisoners Soaring, January 27, 2012:
Corrections Officials Ill-Prepared to Run Geriatric Facilities
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/26/us-number-aging-prisoners-soaring

DNA Database of Men Who Pay for Sex? The Strange Push to Make Cops Collect DNA from Suspected Johns, January 27, 2012:
Law enforcement and conservative campaigners want to threaten men who buy sex with the possibility of being marked for life in a government database.
http://www.alternet.org/sex/153918/dna_database_of_men_who_pay_for_sex_the_strange_push_to_make_cops_collect_dna_from_suspected_johns

Supreme Court Decision on Missouri Sex Offender Carries Implications Across U.S., January 27, 2012:
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/01/supreme_court_billy_joe_reynolds_sex_offender.php

Louisiana Case of Smith v Louisiana has been Reversed by the Lousiana Supreme Court, January 27, 2012:
http://congress-courts-legislation.blogspot.com/2012/01/alert-louisiana-case-of-smith-v.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CongressCourtsAndNationalLegislationccl+%28Congress%2C+Courts+and+National+Legislation+%28CCL%29%29

First-of-Its-Kind Study Finds State Taxpayers Pay 14 Percent Higher Prison Costs Than Budgets Reflect, January 26, 2012:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-of-its-kind-study-finds-state-taxpayers-pay-14-percent-higher-prison-costs-than-budgets-reflect-138099718.html

A Touch During Recess, and Reaction Is Swift, January 26, 2012:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/education/boy-6-suspended-in-sexual-assault-case-at-elementary-school.html?_r=1
(A MUST Read!)

Should Teens Be Jailed for Sex Offenses? A Growing Parental Rebellion Says No, January 25, 2012:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/25/should-teens-be-jailed-for-sex-offenses-a-growing-parental-rebellion-says-no.html
(A MUST Read!)

The Growing Uprising Against SORNA, January 25, 2012:
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/01/growing-uprising-against-sorna

Sex Offender Ordinance Struck Down (NH), January 25, 2012:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/307064/sex-offender-ordinance-struck-down?SESS4c3c93c55295bfc84040ff88b80f9d40=google

4 Lawyers will be Paid Nearly $325,000 by Allegheny County (PA), January 25, 2012:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_778382.html

Bill Allowing Some Sex Offender off Register Early Approved (UT), January 25, 2012:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700218666/Bill-allowing-some-sex-offender-off-register-early-approved.html

Judge Can Order Kids to Register as Sex Offenders, January 25, 2012:
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120126/NEWS01/201260304/Judge-can-order-kids-register-sex-offenders

NH Court Defeats Town’s Residency Restriction, January 24, 2012:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/01/24/nh_court_defeats_towns_residency_restriction/

Virginia Senate Panel Endorses 2 Bills Targeting Sex Offenders, January 23, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-senate-panel-endorses-2-bills-targeting-sex-offenders/2012/01/23/gIQAHFnILQ_story.html

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/01/legislation-targeting-sex-offenders-advances-va-senate

http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/first-read-dmv/Bill-Seeking-Life-Sentence-for-Child-Rape-Advances-in-Virginia-137928033.html

(SB127, SB386,SB436 and SB420)

Out of 747,408 Registered Sex Offenders, How Many Are Actually Dangerous? January 23, 2012:
http://reason.com/blog/2012/01/23/out-of-747408-registered-sex-offenders-h

Sex Offender May Have a Case for Not Registering, January 23, 2012:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/23/43256.htm

U.S. Supreme Court Says Sex Offender Can Challenge Arrest for Not Registering When State Line was Crossed, January 23, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts-law/court-says-sex-offender-can-challenge-arrest-for-not-registering-when-state-line-was-crossed/2012/01/23/gIQAhyA6KQ_story.html

Supreme Court: Warrants Needed in GPS Tracking, January 23, 2012:
The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously restricted the police’s ability to use a GPS device to track criminal suspects in a first test of how privacy rights will be protected in the digital age.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-warrants-needed-in-gps-tracking/2012/01/23/gIQAx7qGLQ_story.html

High Court: Warrant Needed For GPS Tracking Device, January 23, 2012:
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/23/145656654/top-court-police-need-warrant-for-gps-tracking

Judge: Americans Can be Forced to Decrypt their Laptops, January 23, 2012:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57364330-281/judge-americans-can-be-forced-to-decrypt-their-laptops/

Virginia Republicans Push Slew of Conservative Bills, January 22, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/virginia-republicans-push-slew-of-conservative-bills/2012/01/20/gIQARNsXJQ_story.html

Va. Gov. McDonnell Leads Way in Restoring Ex-cons’ Rights, January 22, 2012:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/22/mcdonnell-leads-way-in-restoring-ex-cons-rights/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Sheriff’s Office Remains Busy Monitoring Sex Offenders (IA), January 21, 2012:
http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1807141.html

Sex Offenders Can Go to Library, January 21, 2012:
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed a New Mexico federal judge’s ruling that the city of Albuquerque’s absolute ban on sex offenders’ use of public libraries was unconstitutional.
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/01/21/news/sex-offenders-can-go-to-library.html

New Sex Offender Law Focuses on Tracking (AL), January 21, 2012:
http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/New-sex-offender-law-focuses-on-tracking,186680

Victim Was More than ‘Sex Offender’, January 20, 2012:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/jimmy-336669-middaugh-says.html

Opinion: Why All Virginians Should Care About the Overuse of Solitary Confinement, January 20, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-all-virginians-should-care-about-the-overuse-of-solitary-confinement/2012/01/19/gIQAnTeuEQ_story.html

Governor Seeks Harsher Penalties for Repeat Drug Offenders (Virginia), January 20, 2012:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2012/jan/20/tdmain05-governor-seeks-harsher-penalties-for-repe-ar-1625266/

Computer Network Outage: Va. State Police Unable to Register Sex Offenders, Run Fingerprints, January 19, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/computer-network-outage-va-state-police-unable-to-register-sex-offenders-run-fingerprints/2012/01/19/gIQAiKdyBQ_story.html

McDonnell Rolls Out Public Safety Proposals (Virginia), January 19, 2012:
http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2012/01/19/mcdonnell-rolls-out-public-safety-proposals/

The Adam Walsh Act: The Cost of Compliance and the Danger to Juveniles in the Justice System, January 19, 2012:
http://www.njjn.org/article/the-adam-walsh-act–the-cost-of-compliance-and-the-danger-to-juveniles-in-the-justice-system

Editorial: Mitt Romney’s Unjust Position on Voting Rights, January 19, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitt-romneys-unjust-position-on-voting-rights/2012/01/17/gIQApzO8BQ_story.html?hpid=z3

Opinion: Why Punish Ex-offenders with a Voting Ban? January 19, 2012:
“I know politics is a bare-knuckled game, but demonizing an entire class of Americans for electoral gain is wrong”.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-punish-ex-offenders-with-a-voting-ban/2012/01/19/gIQAvjAqBQ_story.html

House Subcommittee Backs Bill Dealing with Placing Juveniles on Sex-offender Registry (Virginia), January 18, 2012:
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f1a4e5cf4b194b9689a616ef4e14e248/VA–XGR-Juvenile-Sex-Offenders/

Sex Offender Jailed for Taking Daughter to Girl Scout Meeting, January 18, 2012:
http://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/sex-51661-offender-czyzewski.html

Neb. Removes 59 People from Sex Offender Registry, January 18, 2012:
http://www.theindependent.com/news/state/neb-removes-people-from-sex-offender-registry/article_c93eeef1-6f66-550d-8f33-b76c7895bb22.html

Md. Sen. Proposes Animal Abuse Registry, January 18, 2012:
http://www.wbaltv.com/r/30238709/detail.html

Congress Must Pass Law that Allows Former Prisoners to Vote, January 18, 2012:
As the leader of a prison ministry, I strongly support the Democracy Restoration Act because I know that people can be redeemed. Yet for redemption to impact the nation, people must be restored to their communities, and restoration requires an opportunity – like voting.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2012/0118/Congress-must-pass-law-that-allows-former-prisoners-to-vote

End Of Days? Rick Santorum Agrees With the ACLU, January 17, 2012:
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/end_of_days_rick_santorum_agrees_with_the_aclu.php

Science: The Age of Immorality, January 16, 2012:
When it comes to deciding what’s right or wrong, we’re far more emotional than rational.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/15/morality-and-the-brain-do-we-need-a-reboot.html

Ordinance Helps Prevent Sex Offender Tenants in School Zone, January 16, 2012:
Landlords with homes within the 1,000-foot school safety zone may soon have to complete paperwork on all tenants to confirm the tenants are not on the Michigan sex offender list.
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news/63160-ordinance-helps-prevent-sex–offender-tenants-in-school-zone

Court: Consider ‘Record as a Whole’ in Confinement of Sexual Predators (Virginia), January 15, 2012:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/crime-punishment/2012/01/court-consider-record-whole-confinement-sexual-predators/2095161

Getting Off the Sex Offender List, January 14, 2012:
The law provides a way for some to end the ill effects of Oregon registry
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120114/NEWS0107/201140356/1001/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01

Our View: Sex Offender Program is Breaking the Bank (MN), January 14, 2012:
http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1482361

North Dakota, Minnesota Not Complying with Sex Offender Law, January 14, 2012:
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/347327/

Lawmakers Consider Site for Elderly Offenders (IA), January 14, 2012:
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/545219/Lawmakers-consider-site-for-elderly-offenders.html?nav=5010

Justice to Investigate Decision to Drop Allen Sex Crimes Case, January 14, 2012:
The Justice Department has agreed to investigate whether there was misconduct involved in federal prosecutors’ decision to not prosecute a teen sex crime case against disgraced former Veco Corp. chairman Bill Allen.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/13/1982249/justice-to-investigate-decision.html

Wrongly Accused Rape Convict Takes Case to Va. Supreme Court, January 13, 2012:
Edgar Coker Jr.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/therootdc/wrongly-accused-rape-convict-takes-case-to-va-supreme-court/2012/01/13/gIQAyJHNxP_story.html?tid=pm_local_pop

The Sentencing Project: Too Good to be True: Private Prisons in America, January 13, 2012:
http://sexoffender-statistics.blogspot.com/2012/01/sentencing-project-too-good-to-be-true.html

Suit Alleges Alton Police Sat on Mountain of Exculpatory Evidence While 2 men Went to Prison for Sexually Assaulting Children (NH), January 13, 2012:
http://www.laconiadailysun.com/node/126364/18661

Sex Offenders Stumble in Suit Against Atascadero (CA), January 13, 2012:
Sexual predators being treated at California’s Atascadero State Hospital cannot sue the facility’s employees over alleged constitutional violations, the 9th Circuit ruled, reversing itself on remand from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Patients confined to the hospital under the state’s Sexually Violent Predator Act have pursued a class action against Atascadero’s administrators and various state officials since the late 1990s. They claim that hospital employees force them to take medication and other treatments, while subjecting them to illegal strip-searches and restraints, among other things.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/13/43042.htm

Secretary of Labor Announces Grant Competition to Help Former Offenders Gain Career Skills and Rejoin Community Life, January 12, 2012:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/12/4183108/secretary-of-labor-announces-grant.html
(Excludes sex offenders but includes prostitutes)

Solitary Confinement in Virginia Prisons Should be Reduced, Lawmakers Say, January 11, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/solitary-confinement-in-virginia-prisons-should-be-reduced-lawmakers-say/2012/01/11/gIQAb2X9qP_blog.html

Little Outcry Over Loss of Sex Offender List Funds, January 11, 2012:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120111/NEWS01/701119870
(Nebraska doesn’t want to stay AWA/SORNA compliant because the requirements for who is put on a public list and for how long per the SMART Office does nothing to protect society. Nebraska is a common sense state!)

New Push to Expand DNA Samples from NY Offenders, January 11, 2012:
http://online.wsj.com/article/APeeaf2556f0d143a9aa0e7665c70a0782.html

Lake Commissioners Tighten Sex-offender Regulations, Prohibit Clustering (FL), January 11, 2012:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-lk-sex-offender-ban-20120111,0,5403864.story

Attorneys General ask Congress to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, January 11, 2012:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/post_304.html

Maine Makes Public New Database of Inmates and Felons on Probation, January 10, 2012:
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/10/news/state/maine-makes-public-new-database-of-inmates-and-felons-on-probation/

Lincoln Repeals Overly Restrictive Sex Offender Ordinance (ME), January 10, 2012:
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/10/news/penobscot/lincoln-repeals-overly-restrictive-sex-offender-ordinance/

Senator Gives his Bill the Kiss-off (NE), January 10, 2012:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120109/NEWS01/701109991/1005

State Sen. Lisa Boscola Plans Law to Restrict Where Sex Offenders Can Live (PA), January 10, 2012:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2012/01/state_sen_lisa_boscola_plans_l.html

Two Fourth Circuit Rulings on Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Persons, January 10, 2012:

http://walshslaw.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/two-fourth-circuit-rulings-on-civil-commitment-of-sexually-dangerous-persons/

Paying a Price, Long After the Crime, January 9, 2012:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/opinion/paying-a-price-long-after-the-crime.html
(A MUST Read!)

Search Engines Are a Thorn in Congress’ Side, January 9, 2012:
Patrick Hynes, president of online communications agency Hynes Communications, said something as fleeting as autocomplete can leave a lasting image and a potentially negative one at that. “Split-second associations with just a small assortment of words is sometimes enough to brand you as something that you may not be or something that you try to get past,” he said.
“It’s certainly something that every politician and every organization that’s concerned about its reputation needs to focus on,” Hynes said, calling the search suggestions “yet another area where their reputation is at stake.”
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_78/Google-Searches-Are-a-Thorn-in-Congress-Side-211376-1.html?ref=corg

Opinion: New National Defense Act Shreds our Legal Rights, January 9, 2012:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/OPINION03/301090006/New-national-defense-act-shreds-our-legal-rights

10 Key Players to Watch During the 2012 General Assembly Session (Virginia) , January 8, 2012:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jan/08/tdmain10-10-key-players-to-watch-during-the-2012-g-ar-1595248/

Funding Va. Government is a Somber Task; Some Bills will Stir Passions, Others will Entertain, January 8, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/funding-government-is-a-somber-task-but-some-bills-will-stir-passions-others-will-entertain/2012/01/08/gIQAXYMDjP_story.html

New Faces Will Serve Region in State Legislature (Virginia) , January 8, 2012:
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/303246

Child-on-Child Sex Abuse Poses Complex Challenges, January 7, 2012:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/general/view/20120107child-on-child_sex_abuse_poses_complex_challenges/srvc=home&position=recent
(A MUST Read!)

Not Just the Wendrows: Sex Abuse Cases Dismissed After Facilitated Communication, January 7, 2012:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wendrows-sex-abuse-cases-dismissed-facilitated-communication/story?id=15274276

Va. Prisons’ Use of Solitary Confinement is Scrutinized, January 7, 2012:
Red Onion Prison
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/va-prisons-use-of-solitary-confinement-is-scrutinized/2011/11/28/gIQAkKHuhP_story.html

Research Varies on Frequency of False Rape Reports, January 7, 2012:
http://missoulian.com/news/local/research-varies-on-rate-of-false-rape-reports/article_fe94e340-39b8-11e1-bbe1-0019bb2963f4.html

Virginia Senate’s Party Split has Lawmakers Sweating Even the Small Stuff, January 7, 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/virginia-senates-party-split-has-lawmakers-sweating-even-the-small-stuff/2012/01/06/gIQAMaKxhP_story.html

Hotel Home to 24 Molesters (IN), January 7, 2012:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jan/07/48pt-hed1-15-inches-of-story/

20/20 Episode 78: From Miracle to Nightmare, January 6, 2012:
Aislinn Wendrow
http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VD55161867/2020-106-from-miracle-to-nightmare
(A MUST Watch!)

Man Failed to Register, but He Wasn’t a Sex Offender (AR), January 6, 2012:
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20120107/NEWS01/201070325/Man-failed-register-he-wasn-t-sex-offender
(A MUST Read!)

Man Wins Appeal of Sex Offender Status, January 6, 2012:
http://www.ketv.com/r/30151281/detail.html

Female Sex Offender Allegedly Found on Facebook (NC), January 6, 2012:
http://www.shelbystar.com/news/sex-61128-offender-female.html

U.S. Broadens Archaic Definition of Rape, January 6, 2012:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/06/justice/rape-definition-revised/index.html?hpt=ju_c2

Justice Dept. Revises Definition Of Rape To Include Male Victims, January 6, 2012:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/01/06/144783937/justice-dept-revises-definition-of-rape-to-include-male-victims

N.J. Bill Restricting Where Sex Offenders Live Wouldn’t Help Kids, January 5, 2012:
http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/01/nj_bill_restricting_where_sex.html

Mom: I Shot Apt. Of Man Who Sexually Assaulted My Child, January 5, 2012:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30146838/detail.html

Nebraska Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Make Unwanted Mouth-to-Mouth Kissing a Sex Offense, January 5, 2012:
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/11b7446f9a3e402b95b0c969691aa312/NE–Kissing-Bill/

States Struggle with National Sex Offender Law, January 5, 2012:
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=622764
(A MUST Read!)

Edgar Coker Of Mineral, Va., Listed As Sex Offender, But Accuser Admits Fabricating Story, January 4, 2012:
http://wusa9.com/news/article/182920/158/Edgar-Coker-Of-Mineral-Va-Listed-As-Sex-Offender-But-Accuser-Admits-Fabricating-Story

Editorial: Why Did Florida Authorities Fail to Inform Registered Sex Offenders of 2010 Law? Public Deserves Answers, January 3, 2012:
“I didn’t know” is not a valid legal defense when it comes to the vast majority of local, state and federal laws.
Get caught breaking a law — whether you knew it was a crime or not — and you can expect to pay the consequences.
There are exceptions, however. Some criminal statutes require potential offenders to be notified of a new law before the offender can be prosecuted for violating the law.
Such is the case with a 2010 Florida law requiring registered sex offenders to provide advance written notice when visiting a school or day care facility (unless picking up or dropping off the offender’s own children). In addition to prescribing certain conditions on registered sex offenders — including signing in upon arrival at a school or day care facility, and being given an escort on campus — the 2010 law also requires authorities to notify registered sex offenders of the law.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jan/04/editorial-why-did-florida-authorities-fail-to-of/

Law Could Block Where Sex Offenders Live (NJ), January 3, 2012:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/law-could-block-where-sex-offenders-live/article_7902f2e1-9bc0-583d-9c37-9a22ee41e1a4.html

New Registry for First-degree Murderers Highlights Controversial Debate (IL), January 3, 2012:
http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-muckrakers/2012/01/new-registry-for-first-degree-murderers-highlights-controversial-debate/

The National Defense Authorization Act: Our Disappearing Rights and Liberties, January 3, 2012:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alton-lu/the-national-defense-auth_b_1180869.html

New Report Shows Juvenile Lifers Suffering in Solitary Confinement, January 3, 2012:
http://solitarywatch.com/2012/01/03/new-report-shows-juvenile-lifers-suffering-in-solitary-confinement/

10th Circuit Court Says Offender Registration Is Required, January 3, 2012:
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/01/03/10th-circuit-court-says-offender-registration-is-required-70436

Juvenile Case Highlights Flaw in Sex Offender Registry (Virginia), January 2, 2012:
Edgar Coker Jr.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jan/02/tdmet01-juvenile-case-highlights-flaw-in-sex-offen-ar-1581164/

Attorney Convicted of Child Porn Killed in Prison, January 4, 2012:
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/01/04/abqnewsseeker/updated-attorney-convicted-of-child-porn-killed-in-prison.html

Editorial: A Flexible Registry (UT), January 2, 2012:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700211555/A-flexible-registry.html

Flip-flops: A Defense, January 1, 2012:
Commentator Luke Burbank says despite the political downside of being perceived as a “flip-flopper,” changing one’s position is sometimes the best thing you can do.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7393480n&tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea
(A change in opinion is critical to reform the Sex Offender Registries, so keep that in mind if you are an RSO or loved one and believe “flip-floppers” are hypocrites. They aren’t, they are just willing to admit they made a mistake or that they have listened to the empirical data and evidence that contradicts their original opinion and now they are willing to change their position.)

President Obama Signs Indefinite Detention Bill Into Law, December 31, 2011:
http://www.aclu.org/national-security/president-obama-signs-indefinite-detention-bill-law

Bandera Sex Offenders are Being Watched (TX), December 30, 2011:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Bandera-sex-offenders-are-being-watched-2433456.php

Despite Law, Homeless Sex Offenders Can Stay at Shelters Near Schools, Judge Rules, December 30, 2011:
http://www.freep.com/article/20111230/NEWS06/112300354/Despite-law-homeless-sex-offenders-can-stay-at-shelters-near-schools-judge-rules

New Illinois Laws, December 30, 2011:
http://www.bnd.com/2011/12/30/1997465/new-ill-law-allows-schools-to.html

Judge: Sex Offenders May Stay in Grand Rapids Shelters, December 29, 2011:
http://www.freep.com/article/20111229/NEWS06/111229026/Judge-Sex-offenders-may-stay-Grand-Rapids-shelters?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Area Advocates Behind New FBI Definition of Rape, December 29, 2011:
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/32002

Politicians Weigh In on Possible Aliahna’s Law, December 29, 2011:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45820057/ns/local_news-fort_wayne_in/t/politicians-weigh-possible-aliahnas-law#.Tv7JMeRKSuk

Bill May Let Some Sex Offenders Off Registry 5 Years Early (UT), December 28, 2011:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705396487/Bill-may-let-some-sex-offenders-off-registry-5-years-early.html

Laws Restrict Sex Offenders Even After Jail Time, December 27, 2011:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/27/laws-restrict-sex-offenders-even-after-jail-time/

Former Juvenile Sex Offender Gets a Shot at a New Life, December 27, 2011:
Tim, subject of a 2009 Tribune profile, is no longer on Illinois’ sex offender registry
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-juvenile-offender-20111227,0,1499339.story

Indiana Girl Missing From Trailer Park Known for Sex Offenders, December 26, 2011:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/indiana-girl-missing-from-trailer-park-known-for-sex-offenders/
(Hours after this ran the babysitter/neighbor who was entrusted with the girls care confessed to bludgeoning her to death and then dismembering and deposing of her remain. Not the 15 RSO’s that numerous media outlets continuously mentioned while searching for the girl and who the authorities interviewed.)

‘Speeding Train’ Interrogations Can Fuel False Confessions, December 26, 2011:
http://www.indystar.com/usatoday/article/52236364?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|p

Utah Children’s Hospital Screening Visitors for History of Sex Offenses, December 24, 2011:
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/72515cf925a948678dbc47ca912bb3fa/UT–Hospital-Sex-Offenders/

Appeals Court: Sex Offenders Who Leave the State, Country Must Still Register, December 23, 2011:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53177476-78/sex-state-offender-court.html.csp

Oklahoma Legal Aid Expects $700,000 Cut, December 23, 2011:
President Obama signed the appropriations bill on Nov. 18 that set funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – the largest single funding source for civil legal aid to the poor – after Congress voted to cut funding to LSC by $56 million, or 14.8%.
LSC was established by the Congress to provide equal access to justice and to ensure the delivery of high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC currently provides funding to 136 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
http://chickashanews.com/local/x1477831189/Oklahoma-Legal-Aid-expects-700-000-cut

Many Sex Offenders Not Paying New Fee (IL), December 22, 2011:
http://www.wsiltv.com/news/local/Many-Sex-Offenders-Not-Paying-New-Fee-136109823.html

Sandusky Case Triggers Surge In Calls Alleging Sexual Abuse, December 22, 2011:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/sandusky-case-sexual-abuse-calls_n_1165094.html

Registered Sex Offenders to Pay Fee (IL), December 22, 2011:
Offenders must pay $100 annual registration fee beginning Jan. 1, 2012
http://register-news.com/local/x191076582/Registered-sex-offenders-to-pay-fee

LC City Council Amends Sex Offender Ordinance (LA), December 21, 2011:
http://www.kplctv.com/story/16374796/lc-city-council-amends-sex-offender-ordinance#.TvPcWeGKmLQ.twitter

Is Facebook the Solution to the Obnoxious Comment Plague? December 19, 2011:
http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=5213

Horsley: Sex Offenders Aren’t the Same, December 18, 2011:
http://amarillo.com/opinion/opinion-columnist/weekly-opinion-columnist/2011-12-18/horsley-sex-offenders-arent-same

Sexual Assault Case Involving Teen Couple Resolved, December 17, 2011:
http://www.doorcountyadvocate.com/article/20111217/ADV01/112170488/Sexual-assault-case-involving-teenage-couple-resolved

Rules to Stop Pupil and Teacher From Getting Too Social Online, December 17, 2011:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/business/media/rules-to-limit-how-teachers-and-students-interact-online.html

Appeals Court Throws Out Child Porn Conviction, December 15, 2011:
http://www.sunherald.com/2011/12/15/3635484/appeals-court-throws-out-child.html

Laguna Hills Adopts Law Banning Sex Offenders Like Councilman’s Son-in-Law From Parks, December 14, 2011:
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/12/laguna_hills_sex_offender_park.php

DSM 5 Tries To Sneak In Hebephilia, December 14, 2011:
Hebephilia is a crime, not a mental disorder.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dsm5-in-distress/201112/dsm-5-tries-sneak-in-hebephilia

Criminal Code Is Overgrown, Legal Experts Tell Panel, December 14, 2011:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204336104577096852004601924.html

Local Group Wants to Ensure Sex Offenders are Not on Facebook (GA), December 14, 2011:
http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/16774965-Local-group-wants-to-ensure-sex-offenders-are-not-on-Facebook

Congress Weighs in on Child Sexual Abuse, Promises Tougher Laws, December 13, 2011:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/13/2544825/congress-weighs-in-on-child-sexual.html

Hockey Star Sheldon Kennedy Urges Congress to Fight Child Sex Abuse, December 13, 2011:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/hockey-star-sheldon-kennedy-urges-congress-to-fight-child-sex-abuse/

Penn State Scandal: Senators Demand Stronger Child Abuse Laws, December 13, 2011:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/senate-probes-child-abuse-reporting-.html

William Giraldo, Wrongly Accused Of Rape By NYPD, Wants Apology, December 13, 2011:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/13/nypd-wrongly-accuses-man-of-rape_n_1146709.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-bb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%7C119851

The Facebook Resisters, December 13, 2011:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/technology/shunning-facebook-and-living-to-tell-about-it.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Sex Offender Registration Bill Passes in State House (PA), December 13, 2011:
http://www.abc27.com/story/16317972/pennsylvania-passes-sex-offender-registration-bill

Exoneree’s Ex-Wife Takes Him to Court For a Piece of the Millions He Got From the State, December 12, 2011:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/12/exonerees_ex-wife_takes_him_to.php

New US Data Shows Continuing Drop in Child Abuse, December 12, 2011:
http://www.seattlepi.com/living/article/New-US-data-shows-continuing-drop-in-child-abuse-2397309.php

U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Review Newark Statutory Rape Case, December 12, 2011:
The U.S. Supreme Court won’t review an Ohio Supreme Court decision that eliminated statutory rape charges for children younger than 13.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt’s petition to review the case, which stemmed from rape charges brought against a 12-year-old boy. The court accepts only about 1 percent of petitions it receives.
In June, the state Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to charge a child younger than 13 with statutory rape because it would be unclear who is the victim and who is the offender.
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20111212/NEWS01/111212008

Indian River Detective Helps Speed Use of Law on Sex Offenders Visiting Schools (FL), December 12, 2011:
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/dec/12/indian-river-detective-helps-speed-use-of-law-on/

State Looks at Costs of Defending Sex Felons (WA), December 12, 2011:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/12/1941866/state-looks-at-costs-of-defending.html

Delegate Rob Bell: Why I Want to be Attorney General, (Virginia) December 11, 2011:
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/dec/11/commentary-why-i-want-be-attorney-general-ar-1533219/

Sex Abuse Charge Dropped Against Local Man, December 11, 2011:
The state of Florida has dropped the sexual abuse charges that kept a local man in the county jail for more than two years awaiting trial.
Robert Dominello was freed after the state elected not to prosecute the case, citing potential credibility problems with Dominello’s accuser.
In announcing the state’s decision, Assistant State Prosecutor Shad Redmon wrote that the girl had accused several other people and the family dog of abusing her, with all the alleged instances deemed unfounded. The accuser “is not very oriented to place and time,” he added.
http://www2.jcfloridan.com/news/2011/dec/11/5/sex-abuse-charge-dropped-against-local-man-ar-2837718/
(Two years in jail for a false allegation, he probably lost his job, his home and perhaps his family while he attempted to defend his name)

Fowler: Current Sex-Offender Policies Deserve Closer Examination, December 10, 2011:
http://amarillo.com/opinion/opinion-columnist/guest-columnist/2011-12-10/current-sex-offender-policies-deserve-closer

Opponents Urge Caution About Pitfalls to Proposed Restrictions, December 10, 2011:
http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-12-10/opponents-urge-caution-about-pitfalls-proposed-restrictions

Beilue: Residence Restriction isn’t as Good as it Sounds, December 10, 2011:
http://amarillo.com/news/2011-12-10/residence-restriction-isnt-good-it-sounds

Conviction Is Reversed in 1992 Rape and Murder, December 10, 2011:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/us/conviction-of-juan-rivera-in-1992-murder-reversed.html?_r=1

AOL, Google and Yahoo Join the Hunt for Online Sex Offenders (NY), December 10, 2011:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/aol-google-yahoo-join-hunt-online-sex-offenders/story?id=9306265

Police Allege Folsom Prison Psychologist Staged Fake Rape Attack, (CA) December 9, 2011:
Sacramento police responded to a 911 call from the Martinez home on Norgard Court last April and found Laurie Ann Martinez lying on the floor, crying hysterically.
Her shirt was ripped open, her lip split, her knuckles scraped. She told officers she had come home to find a strange man who knocked her unconscious, raped her and robbed her. She went with them to the hospital for an evidentiary exam.
It was, police allege, all a lie – one concocted to persuade her husband to move to another neighborhood.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/09/4110703/police-allege-folsom-prison-psychologist.html

Community At Odds Over Homeless Sex Offenders, (OK) December 9, 2011:
http://www.koco.com/r/29961358/detail.html

Bill Would Split up Sex Offenders, (AL) December 9, 2011:
http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2011/12/09/bill-would-ban-sex-offenders-from-living-at-same-residence/

Registered Sex Offender Says State is Holding Him Back from Turning Life Around, December 9, 2011:
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/29963114/detail.html

Senate Committee Approves Bill To Help Ex-Offenders Find Employment, (NJ) December 9, 2011:
The bill (S-3044) would allow ex-offenders – excluding sex offenders – to be employed by alcoholic beverage licensees such as restaurants or bars, in positions not requiring the serving, selling or soliciting the sale, mixing, processing or preparation of alcohol.
http://njtoday.net/2011/12/09/senate-committee-approves-bill-to-help-ex-offenders-find-employment/

Convicted Sex Offender gets Rare Supreme Court Hearing, December 9, 2011:
A retired Chrysler engineer who has spent five years in prison for a sex crime he says he did not commit is going to get a rare hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
http://detnews.com/article/20111209/METRO02/112090337/Convicted-sex-offender-gets-rare-Supreme-Court-hearing

Edwardsville Repeals Sex Offender Ordinance, (PA) December 9, 2011:
http://citizensvoice.com/news/edwardsville-repeals-sex-offender-ordinance-1.1242705#axzz1g28GYqiP

Kent Turns Down Expanding Rules for Sex Offenders: Instead, City Council Creates Task Force to Probe Community Education About the Issue (OH), December 8, 2011:
http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/5132930

Tullytown Repeals Sex Offender Residency Law, (PA) December 8, 2011:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/tullytown-repeals-sex-offender-residency-law/article_046f124d-9e54-5cc7-8153-92fccfd9a6b3.html

ACLU Says Laws Unfair Toward Sex Offenders, December 8, 2011:
A pair of Nevada laws that toughened sex offender registration requirements are unconstitutional, a civil rights lawyer told a federal appeals court panel Wednesday.
Maggie McLetchie, a lawyer arguing for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, told judges with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that the new laws re-punish sex offenders by upping their tier classifications, in some cases forcing them to move because they lived too close to a school or other place prohibited under the laws.
“It was being applied retroactively,” McLetchie said. “We needed an injunction because parole and probation officers were telling our clients they had to move.”
http://www.lvrj.com/news/lawyer-nevada-s-new-sex-offender-laws-are-unconstitutional-135294198.html

Is Facebook “Censoring” the Internet or is this Smart Marketing? December 8, 2011:
http://congress-courts-legislation.blogspot.com/2011/12/is-facebook-censoring-internet-or-is.html

State Representative Wants Rapists, Child Molesters Institutionalized, (OK) December 8, 2011:
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/State-representative-wants-rapists-child/kpZ_uh073k2uDwsBbWQ7jA.cspx

Prison Visits Make Inmates Less Likely To Commit Crimes After Release, Study Finds, December 7, 2011:
http://internationalprisonwatch.blogspot.com/2011/12/prison-visits-make-inmates-less-likely.html

FBI Policy Group Votes to Expand Definition of Rape, December 7, 2011:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/07/fbi-policy-group-votes-to-expand-definition-of-rape/

Panel: Local, Campus Police Should Aid Each Other (Virginia), December 7, 2011:
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/12/panel-local-campus-police-should-aid-each-other

Rights Groups Want Prison-Rape-Prevention Rules Expanded, December 7, 2011:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-12-07/Prison-rape-rules-immigration-centers-Congress/51751892/1

Va. Court of Appeals Exonerates Haynesworth, December 6, 2011:
The Virginia Court of Appeals has granted a writ of actual innocence for Thomas E. Haynesworth, the Richmond man who served 27 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in a series of rapes in the 1980s.
The vote in the court was split 6-4, with the majority issuing a two-line declaration and the minority issuing a multi-page dissension, said Olga Akselrod, a lawyer for the Innocence Project, which worked for Haynesworth’s release from prison and his court rendered exoneration.
“Thomas is now exonerated,” said Akselrod. “His record is going to be totally expunged. He will be removed from the sex offenders list and there will be no more restirctions on him,” she added.
“He’s finally free.”
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/dec/06/4/va-court-appeals-grants-innocence-writ-hayesworth-ar-1523641/

Va. Sex Offender Registry Sound, Crime Commission Told, December 6, 2011:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/dec/06/va-sex-offender-registry-sound-crime-commission-to-ar-1524833/

Scandals Reveal Sex Offender Laws’ Limits, December 6, 2011:
http://news.discovery.com/human/abuse-scandals-offender-laws-111206.html

Thomas Haynesworth Fully Exonerated by Va. Appeals Court, December 6, 2011:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/thomas-haynesworth-exonerated-in-rape-case-after-27-years-in-prison/2011/12/06/gIQAua5yaO_story.html?tid=pm_pop

9-year-old Suspended for Calling Teacher Cute, December 6, 2011:
http://www.shelbystar.com/news/teacher-60528-cute-calling.html

Righting a Wrongful Conviction in Virginia, December 5, 2011:
Edgar  Coker’s case is scheduled to be heard by the state’s high court in January. His lawyers should seek a full pardon from Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), although executive clemency is typically not considered until all court action has been exhausted. The best chance for speedy redress may lie with Virginia’s General Assembly, which reconvenes next month for its annual legislative session. Del. Gregory D. Habeeb, a Roanoke-area Republican, plans to introduce legislation to allow juveniles — even those who entered guilty pleas — to make a claim of actual innocence.
“This is not a partisan issue. This is not a race issue. This is a justice issue,” he says. This change would not guarantee a clean record, but it would rightly give those caught in a paralyzing legal vise a chance to clear their names.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/righting-a-wrongful-conviction-in-virginia/2011/12/01/gIQAn7HuXO_story.html

The Case of the Grim Sleeper, December 5, 2011:
Are familial DNA searches a brilliant tool for solving crimes or a dangerous abuse of privacy?
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2100112,00.html

First Grade Boy Under Investigation for Sexual Harassment, December 4, 2011:
There may be “another side” to this story, but it’s hard to foresee any version of events in which a First Grader can plausibly be guilty of “sexual assault”. Nevertheless, if found guilty, Mark Curran when he turns 18 will be placed on a “sex offender registry”, and his life will be ruined. If officials of the Boston public schools system genuinely believe that when a seven-year old kicks another seven-year old in the crotch that that is an act of “sexual harassment”, then they are too stupid to be entrusted with the care of the city’s children.
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-spokane/first-grade-boy-under-investigation-for-sexual-harassment

Residence Restrictions’ Effectiveness Uncertain, December 3, 2011:
http://amarillo.com/news/2011-12-03/residence-restrictions-effectiveness-uncertain

Sex Offenders in Avenel Must be Moved to New Facility or Separate Area, N.J. Appeals Court Rules, December 3, 2011:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/sex_offenders_in_avenel_must_b.html

Mass. Boy Faces Harassment Inquiry for Groin Punch, December 2, 2011:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FIRST_GRADER_SEXUAL_HARASSMENT?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Is Child Sexual Abuse on the Rise? December 2, 2011:
According to the nation’s top experts, children are actually safer from physical and sexual abuse than they have been for decades
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=is-child-sexual-abuse

Nebraska Eyes Impact of Changes to Sex Offender Registry, December 2, 2011:
http://www.kvnonews.com/2011/12/nebraska-eyes-impact-of-changes-to-sex-offender-registry/

Bernie Fine Accuser Zach Tomaselli Facing Child Molestation Allegation, December 2, 2011:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/260374/20111202/bernie-fine-accuser-zach-tomaselli-facing-child.htm

Virginia Faulted on Child Trafficking, December 2, 2011:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/dec/02/tdmet01-virginia-faulted-on-child-trafficking-ar-1508267/

Brian Dickerson: If the Blinds Were Open, Was it a Crime to Look? December 1, 2011:
http://www.freep.com/article/20111201/COL04/112010471/Brian-Dickerson-BRIAN-DICKERSON-If-the-blinds-were-open-was-it-a-crime-to-look-?odyssey=mod|mostview
(A MUST Read!)

Editorial: Changes Overdue in Civil Commitment (Virginia) , December 1, 2011:
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/11/changes-overdue-civil-commitment

Group Hits States on Sex Trafficking, December 1, 2011:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/69534.html

Senate Panel Votes To Expand U.S. Marshals Aid In Sex Offender Investigations, December 1, 2011:
http://www.talkradionews.com/quicknews/2011/12/1/senate-panel-votes-to-expand-us-marshals-aid-in-sex-offender.html
(The Strengthening Investigations of Sex Offenders and Missing Children Act of 2011 and Finding Fugitive Sex Offenders Act of 2011)