Guilt by Marriage?

SexOffenderResearch points to this odd story where a sex offender's wife has had her application for a liquor license notated with a reference to her husband's criminal history. From a local news account:

An application a Fort Smith woman has made to the state liquor licensing board for a private club permit will have a notation added to it that her husband is a convicted sex offender, authorities said Thursday. 

Jennifer Spence has applied for a private club and retail beer-on-premises permit for a business identified as JAT in the 900 block of North A Street, J.C. Rider, a local agent with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control, confirmed Thursday.

Spence's husband is Johnny Wayne Spence, 43, of Fort Smith, a Level 4 sex offender, which state law describes as a sexually violent predator. Fort Smith police released information Tuesday about Johnny Spence after his status elevated from a Level 3 to a Level 4 sex offender.

I wonder if this part of a growing trend to punish third parties for having business or personal relations with sex offenders.

Comments

[JT]

Seriously? They're making notes on her application based on her husband's criminal record? That shouldn't even factor in since she is NOT THE OFFENDER. This is ridiculous.

[Anon]

Corey, Though you answered in another post that Skinner v. Oklahoma would not apply since registration is not punishment, there is mounting evidence that it is, and this woman and their children, if they have any, likely suffer far more than this notation.

[slim]

This is a really big reason why I haven't gone into business for myself. Any stigma attached to my husband would be attached to me as soon as someone made the connection. Maybe there wouldn't be torches and pitchforks, but a boycott would cause a business to go under.

[Joseph Miller]

The wife of a sex offender in Durango cannot even get a job with her psychology degree because of her husbands conviction. Not only is our society making sex offenders into social pariahs, but they are including anyone who has contact with them.

[Dave]

So when are they going to prohibit RSO's from obtaining marriage licenses? You know, for the good of society.