Brevard County proximity ordinance Update
(Weekly Update #208)
Dear Members and Advocates,
Yesterday, three of our members were able to do something they were not previously allowed to do for more than fifteen years. They were allowed to address their County commissioners at a county commission meeting. It was a long time in the making and required the filing of a lawsuit, but this right, afforded to every citizen by the First Amendment to the US and Florida Constitution and Florida’s Governing in the Sunshine Law was a right deprived to these individuals.
We are very proud of our members who had the courage to get up and speak in front of a very hostile County Commission against the Brevard County proximity ordinance. We are also very appreciative of the partner of one of those individuals who spoke against the ordinance as well, and supportive remarks from a neighbor of a registered citizen, and also our own Membership chair who didn’t plan to speak but was so compelled to address the misinformation.
For those who did not have the opportunity to attend or watch the meeting, a recording of it can be found here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5fs-xZ_yZ0
The relevant portions begin at approximately 23:30 minutes into the video, 45 minutes, and 1:12 minutes in. Equally relevant is the reaction from the commissioners, particularly John Tobia. We will reserve comment, since their reactions speak for themselves.
For the next county commission meeting (presently scheduled for July 7th), FAC plans to have more people come up and speak. One item of misinformation from Tobia that was not rebutted was the recidivism rate, for which there is an abundance of scientific research.
If you have a chance, it’s definitely worth watching. On one hand, it’s depressing, but on the other hand it’s inspiring. A month ago, these individuals were not even able to enter the building to make their comments and yesterday they got their first opportunity. It certainly won’t be the last opportunity!
Another item you might want to watch/listen to this week is attorney Val Jonas’ oral argument before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Ex Post Facto Plus case. Argument is scheduled for this Friday, May 20, 2022, and it looks as though Doe v. Swearingen is the first case on the docket for that day. The recording should be accessible from this link (https://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings), but only after the oral argument is held.
Congrats and thank you to our members who spoke at the commission meeting and good luck to Val on the upcoming oral arguments. These may seem like small steps, but they are actually tremendous strides.
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
ANNOUNCEMENTS
See Calendar of Events – Keep up with Meet-and-Greets in your area, Support groups, Membership Calls, and other events. For questions, contact membership@floridaactioncommittee.org or call 833-273-7325,Option 1.
Duval Meet-and-Greet in Jacksonville Saturday June 4th – Click Here for Calendar, and double click on the event to view details and RSVP instructions
Sarasota Meet-and Greet tentatively set for Saturday July 16
Manatee Meet-and Greet tentatively set for Saturday July 30
Join the County Coordinator Team. Only requirement is your desire to HELP us organize your county. If you are interested in joining the County Coordinator Team, leave message at 833-273-7325, Option 1, or email membership@floridaactioncommittee.org
SOME HEADLINES FROM THIS WEEK
Registerants address county commission after rule changed to allow them
In their statements to commissioners on Tuesday, petitioners pleaded with the commission to reverse an amendment to an ordinance passed in 2020, barring them from entering within 1,000 feet of businesses where children typically congregate. Their comments included…read more
IN: Out-of-state registration requirement does not violate ex post facto
An Indiana appellate court has decided that requiring an individual with an out of state conviction who moves to Indiana to register as a sex offender, even when the registry didn’t exist in Indiana or in the state of conviction, does not violate Indiana’s Ex Post…read more
ACSOL: Lawsuit Challenges Denial of Military Base Access to Registrant Retirees
Source: ACSOL A lawsuit was filed today in a federal district court in California challenging the denial of access to a military base of a military retiree solely because he is required to register. The lawsuit claims that the military retiree’s right to due process…read more
OR: Early Release Does Not Increase Public Safety Risk
An initial assessment of 266 inmates released early from Oregon prisons during the pandemic showed they were no more likely to commit new crimes than those who serve their full sentences. The state Criminal Justice Commission said in a recent report that recidivism…read more
The Dobbs Wire: SOLPRC’s Guide for Practitioners to New Federal SORNA Regulations Effective January 7, 2022 Just Published
The Dobbs Wire: Just published! The Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center (SOLPRC) has just issued an “explainer” for attorneys about the new, complicated, and murky federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) regulations which took…read more