Some convicted sex offenders will be able to live close to schools and daycare centers, according to a ruling today by a Cole County Judge.You can watch my KY3 News @ 10 piece HERE.
The legislature passed a law that bans registered sex offenders from living 1000 feet within schools or daycare facilities.
The ruling says lawmakers went too far when they went further -- and crafted a law that forces registered sex offenders to move from the homes in which they lived before the ban went into effect.
Parents are upset about it. Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt called the decision "a disappointment," because a high percentage of sex offenders are likely to reoffend. Attorney Dee Wampler called it a "constitutional conflict," but defended the ruling on First Amendment grounds. It's not clear whether State Senator Norma Champion agreed or disagreed with the ruling. In an interview with KY3, Champion outlined the arguments on each side but did not take a clear stand on the Cole County ruling.
1 comment:
Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt called the decision "a disappointment," because a high percentage of sex offenders are likely to reoffend.
Don't believe the hysteria, Dave. This Skeptical Inquirer report uses Bureau of Justice Statistics studies to show the recidivism rate for sex offenders is between three and five percent. Sex offenders have "a re-arrest rate 25 percent lower than for all other criminals."
Fear isn't a fact.
Post a Comment