Judge Strikes Down Parts of Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Law
A judge has struck down certain parts of Michigan’s sex offender registry law after finding them too difficult to follow.
U.S. District Judge Robert Cleveland wrote that several parts of Michigan's sex offender registry law were unduly difficult to follow.
A U.S. district judge found several reporting requirements in Michigan’s sex offender registry law to be unconstitutional.
Judge Robert Cleveland found several reporting requirements to be too vague and difficult for a reasonable person to follow in a ruling on a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. The registry laws have been amended many times by lawmakers to make requirements stricter, reports the Detroit Free Press.
RELATED: Child Sexual Abuse: It’s More Prevalent Than You Think
The judge found the requirement for offenders to stay 1,000 feet away from school zones was unreasonable considering offenders are not provided with a map. He also struck down a mandate that offenders report new e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and instant messaging addresses to authorities.
Some of the judge’s ruling will only be applied to the six defendants listed in the lawsuit, so the immediate impact of it is not yet clear. There are 41,600 offenders on Michigan’s registry and many of them are not dangerous.
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
