Sex Offender Ruling Changes Living Arrangements

By Tracy Lehr
KEYT
April 15, 2015

http://www.keyt.com/news/sex-offender-ruling-changes-living-arrangements/32041298

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

Some registered sex offenders will be able to live by schools and parks under a new court ruling.

The California State Supreme Court ruled that the voter-approved Jessica's law ban on all registered sex offenders goes too far.

The ruling stems from a San Diego County case, but will soon be applied statewide.

Corrections officers will determine on a case by case basis whether a parolee is allowed to live near schools and parks.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley said, "The California sex offender management board has long recommended tailoring residency restrictions to fit the offender and the offense. The California Supreme Court noted that when applied to all offenders the restriction has created many problems and made it impossible for law-enforcement to track offenders when a new crime is committed because their whereabouts are unknown. Transient sex offenders are a bigger danger to public safety than the ones whose residence address is known to police. this change will be in the interest of Public Safety because it will allow law enforcement to keep closer track of offenders.  High risk child molesters will still not be able to live near schools or parks.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is aware of the ruling and issued the following statement: "The Court ruling does not change the fact that these individuals will still be required to register as sex offenders with local law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to register these convicted offenders as required by law. The Sheriff’s Office will enforce the registration requirements placed on the convicted offenders by the Courts. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce the restrictions imposed on registered sex offenders by State Parole or Probation as long as the offender remains on probation or parole. "

Attorney Tim Hale has made a name for himself representing child molestation survivors.  Hale said the change will prevent registered sex offenders from going off the grid.  He said the rules often lead to transient homelessness and offenders without an addresses.  Hale said he would rather know exactly where a registered sex offender lives.

Anyone can visit, http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/, to find out about offenders in local neighborhoods.

The state will have about two months to review 6,000 cases.