The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that although Plainfield, Indiana's ban on sex offenders in the parks does have punitive effects, it is not unconstitutional. The ruling, which may be viewed here, upholds an ordinance "prohibiting persons on the state registry of sex offenders from going into Plainfield parks and recreation facilities." From the The Indianapolis Star:
The appeals court said Plainfield did not violate the portion of the Indiana Constitution that guarantees rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to everyone.
The appeals court decision upholds a ruling in March this year by Hendricks Superior Court Judge Robert W. Freese, who had granted summary judgment for Plainfield and upheld the town’s ordinance.
Doe sued Plainfield in November 2005, which began nearly three years of twists and turns in the legal case.
I'm curious to see if the opinion actually only concerned the broad language of the Indiana Constitution. If so, it makes sense that the challenge to the ban would fail.
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