WTF: “Concern” about registrant paralegal?
These stories really piss me off.
The headline of an article on the “Crawford County Now”, reads, “Tier 1 sex offender assists in …jury selection.” Naturally I had to click on this rag to find out what happened or what the issue was.
Turns out just that…
An anonymous tip was verified revealing that a Tier I Sex Offender was assisting defense attorney Adam XXXXXX during jury selection.XXXXX XXXXX is currently a paralegal at XXXXX’s law firm.
During the course of discovery, trial preparation, and today’s jury selection, XXXXXX was present with XXXX and actively participating in proceedings.
When reached for comment, Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall noted that his office policy is to not publicly comment on issues regarding an ongoing trial. No comment was given by Adam XXXXX or representatives of his office in response to inquiries made by Crawford County Now.
I’m sorry, but what’s the story here? That someone on the registry has a job as a paralegal? Is there a problem with that?
It’s not like he has a job in a preschool, he wasn’t exposing himself to potential jurors or masturbating during cross examination. Why does the writer think this is a story, why would they prejudice the jury, and why do they need to mess with someone who has paid their debt to society and is working?
Every so often we come across these B.S. stories with the general theme of “would you believe they let someone on the registry be a garbage man?” and I have to wonder how society expects anyone to return to a viable life, when they crap all over them for doing something productive such as working!
This doesn’t appear to be a legitimate news site. They don’t post a physical address. This is probably just some fearmonger working out of his basement.
I reached out to the Comments Desk and wrote:
Your story is a weak attempt to make a mountain from a mole hill, to create a sensational story where one does not exist. Your Crawford County Now Staff did your readers a complete dis-service by trying to cause problems where there are none. How is the paralegal a problem? IF he was previously a problem I am sure the legal system would have put him into the prison system instead of supervision. He has paid he debt and is working as part of the community. SO what gives you the right to shame him? The company he works for? Is this the quality reporting you want to be known for?
I am sure Mr Tanner’s life was turned upside down in 2013 due to his illegal activity. He lost his teaching career at a minimum. What else did he lose? Has he done anything prior or since? Does your online readership get updates on individuals arrested for DUI back in 2013? Shame them by name? Call to the world, LOOK this person is now working as a (fill in the blanks). You owe Mr Tanner and the legal firm he works with a formal public apology and then take down that shoddy story.
Empirical data (that has been found honestly gathered) is responsible reporting. Crawford County Now Staff should be ashamed of themselves.
Just to let them know someone is watching and willing to make a comment.
I think the writer had an issue with the “jury selection” participation by the registrant. I’m only guessing, but probably thought that the registrant would be able to influence potential jurists, or able to choose people more likely to be forgiving or open minded (fair).
I wrote to the staff through their “Contact” email, asking exactly that. Not holding my breath for a response.
FAC should collect all the details of this story, the information of the news media site or paper that ran it and use it in your lawsuits as part of your argument of how people ARE being punished by being registered and it’s effects on those who offer employment to them.
This being an issue with a law firm is maybe a bit better of an example than a McDonalds employing a registrant.
If sex offenses require counseling it’s a medical issue and should be protected under hippa not advertised to humiliate the patient.
If anyone believes for a moment that the “anonymous tip” did not come from someone directly involved in the prosecution, they are delusional. Who else would be observing the trial and do background digging on everyone in the courtroom? This is part of a typical police/prosecution “media strategy”. Absolute Machiavellianism, corruption, and plausible deniability are tools of the trade for prosecutors officers across the united states. They need to be exposed, de legitimized, and defunded. Finally their immunity needs to be stripped and they should be held to account for the injustices they caused. If the system will not serve the victims, I suggest the victims start holding them to account personally.
Wow, I learned a new word today which describes almost all of the politicians and many citizens in the USA, Machiavellianism. Machiavellianism in psychology refers to a personality trait which sees a person so focused on their own interests they will manipulate, deceive, and exploit others to achieve their goals. https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/machiavellianism-psychology.htm
LPH
Sounds like my daughter when she wanted something when she was about 5 or 6. She would throw a tantrum until she got her way.
Also possible the “anonymous tip” came from the reporter himself.
Dustin
From personal experience, reporters will do ANYTHING to get a story, even if it ruins someone’s life and reputation. Look at how many people who are “Tried and convicted” in the news even before they get a day in court.
They almost never report a retraction and , frankly, no one listens to retractions anyway even if they did. When I was going through my ordeal, my wise Father told me “Time heals all wounds”. Basically if you lay low and stay out of the lime light, the storm will pass and you will be forgotten about.
For example, when I first moved where I am living now, people were up in arms about me moving in. I have been here a couple of years now and those same people wave at me when I am outside. (There are still those who give me the evil stare though)
CherokeeJack:
For some reason you reminded me of an old Glee episode where they were running a school newspaper and the teacher was saying stuff like “We’re not interested in facts, fact checking, verification, or facts!”, Lesson One: Making Stuff Up” and “If I heard it, it’s probably true or something.”
Pretty much sums up modern journalism, I would say.
Dustin
And Joe Friday of the show Dragnet use to say
“just the facts, ma’am Only state exactly what happened, without embellishment or exaggeration.”
I have a close friend who is a registrant that is a highly respected paralegal with a large firm here in Florida. Many of the higher level attorneys at the firm require him to do all of their legal administrative work. I cannot put my name nor his because of the very issue that was in the paper.
Can’t say
What kind of better person to know how to beat the system(Legally) than someone like us who have been through Hell and back. Reminds me of Gail forming F.A.C because of what her son went through. Or John Walsh after his son Adam was killed. We can sit at home and pity ourselves or we can be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Why is there outrage for EVERY OTHER marginalized and dehumanized group/individual in America except for people with this label?
Because people w/ this label DID SOMETHING to get it.
That’s the popular understanding and the reason lawmakers tend to stop listening when we start to compare registrants to other marginalized groups.
People get that no one is born a registrant.
The only other marginalized group I can think of that is understood to have made a choice, is illegal immigrants. They snuck through a border. But the public tends to view sex crimes differently from that.
@Jacob
So your argument purports that this label is socially acceptable oppression, discrimination and banishment both in scope and nature. Whereas this behavior is actually “understood,” encouraged and condoned through the usage of apps, alerts and social media.
In essence, it gives people a license to hate.
Fine. Say no more.
Don’t put words in my mouth, Facts Should Matter. Go get someone else to say that so you can argue with them. I am not your straw man.
You asked why there is more outrage for other marginalized groups than this one. Well, gee, Facts Should Matter, I have no idea why that could possibly be, maybe a smart person like you can figure it out a reason.
To Jacob & Facts should matter
You are doing just what the other side wants us to do, fight among ourselves. I have gotten mad on here many times. Both at what others wrote and sometimes at FAC themselves over a decision.
Having said that, at the end of the day, if you do not work together, the ship will sink. Share your opinions but remember we are ALL in this together. Together we conquer, divided we fall. Remember, “Strength in numbers”.
Prayers, hope and much love to all those working behind the scenes to fight the good fight. I try and remember this from the Good Book:
1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
What can one do if being harassed at work, flyers, facebook posts, random phone calls to friends and at home?
Call the police and file a complaint
I don’t trust the police, but I know it’s needed.
There was an article in 2016 posted about harassment. I think it would be a good idea if anyone has the resources to update it or have a lawyer tall about it on a monthly call. There’s so much grey area, like so much else with the registry
Anonymous
Yeah I got fired at my last job over that. Someone came in and hung flyers on every isle of the store. My Boss stuck up for me but the some employees who felt they had the right to know this all along and were pissed, called corporate and got me fired.
And you can call the police if you want (I use to be a cop) but from experience, they won’t do much to investigate anything related to someone on the registry.