Insanity. A man was sentenced to 10-25 years for failing to provide an updated phone number under sex offender registration laws. Under WV recidivist law, he was then sentenced to life. WV Supreme Court found life was unconstitutionally disproportionate. But upheld 10-25 years.
People I represent are arrested, jailed, & convicted w/ additional felonies for failing to update an address. Like this man I met in July. Reported perfectly for 9 years. Then became homeless. Didn't have an address & didn't get mail. Zero tolerance.
There is *no correlation* btwn failure to register & reoffending. The only significant correlation associated w/ onerous, complicated, costly, & wasteful reporting requirements is reincarceration for minor technical violations & further marginalization.
While I have your attention, note also: “Sex offender” laws are brutally overbroad. Look closer at who’s labeled & required to register: 5 states: Visiting a prostitute 13 states: Urinating in public 32 states: Flashers/Streakers 39 states: Consensual sex btwn teens.
Classifications are overbroad. Stories of who end up registered as “sex offender” are obscene.
-9 y/o who played doctor w/ 6 y/o
-HS senior flashed freshman girls
-10 y/o guilty of “indency” for playground incident.
-Teen-now-adult married to then-teen “victim.” Have children
-9 y/o who played doctor w/ 6 y/o
-HS senior flashed freshman girls
-10 y/o guilty of “indency” for playground incident.
-Teen-now-adult married to then-teen “victim.” Have children
Consequences are uniform & devastating if “sex offender.” Just 1 example: “Cannot live in public housing, no matter how dire economic circumstances.” That 10 yr old on playground? Ended up on streets, repeatedly arrested & convicted for failing to register w/ suitable address.
