The New York Times has an article discussing a unique courtroom in Westchester County, New York that handles sex offender cases and almost nothing else. According to the article, the idea was that such courts might cultivate expertise among judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers who would become knowledgeable about the complexities involved — the likelihood that a suspect will be a repeat offender and the restrictions needed to prevent that offender from striking again. "[F]ew issues raise more fears among Americans than the possibility of a predatory sex offender moving next door, the rationale for such a court seemed persuasive to many." The article notes that the experimental courtroom idea has been adopted in several nearby counties.
The Chicago Tribune's Washington Blog has a new post discussing how "[t]he attorney general is directing all agencies of the United States that arrest or detain individuals or supervise individuals facing charges to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested, facing charges, or convicted, and from non-United States persons who are detained under the authority of the United States...'' The post notes that this directive stems from the requirements of the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. Agencies that collect DNA will have to submit it to the FBI.
A Florida man who was convicted of "using a samurai sword to kill his estranged wife's boyfriend," has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Although the man faced 25 years to life for the murder, the Judge took into account that the victim was a sex offender – although he added that is no excuse for murder. This story was previously mentioned here.
The Chicago Tribune has an article discussing an Indiana man who is "challenging the constitutionality of a state statute that retroactively broadened a law regarding Indiana's sex offender registry." The man pleaded guilty eight years ago to one count of vicarious sexual gratification and one count of child molesting. He spent three years in prison and another three on probation. The man was also required under a separate state law at the time to register as a sex offender for 10 years. But in 2006, he was notified that he was considered a sexually violent predator and would have to register for life.
A Public Defender blog has a post discussing how "the heavy chains of probationary conditions apply to all 'sex offenders' across the board," and the associated problems with such an approach.
An interesting new article discusses the various critiques of sex offender registry requirements. The consensus: they don't protect anyone. Kris Hamilton, who counsels offenders, says, "I'm not sure it protects anybody," adding "it gives a false sense of security."
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