FAC Requests Clarification from St. Lucie County
Several of our members have forwarded notices they received from St Lucie County, informing them of their County’s rules when it comes to sex offenders and reporting internet identifiers.
Deputies in that county have been visiting registrants and giving them a document containing a place for signature.
Rather than confuse you with the content of the notice, we are attaching our letter to their Sheriff.
Really want to ruffle some feathers? This is only recommended if you’re off probation, but there’s nothing they can really do anyway: refuse to sign. I used to do this in Indian River County. Boy do they get bent! The paperwork really only states that you agree with the above information. Since I didn’t agree, I didn’t sign. It wasn’t my idea, either. I had read an article years ago where an attorney had been quoted “never sign anything.” They stop process and call the captain on duty, telling the captain they have a refuse to sign. It takes a little longer, but they can’t hold you for it. I’ve even suggested they have a computer in the lobby or a kiosk, or even just a check-in online with a camera available. You know,
1. Save people the embarrassment of being dragged through booking for no reason.
2. Any moron can check the accuracy of my information when nothing has changed. And how much did that stupid sign pad clipboard cost the taxpayers? How much does the entire process cost the taxpayers per person?
3. If you provide false information, the result is the same old standard threat: “..a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment. Why would I risk the on threat to myself by giving false information? Again, could be done from the comfort of your home, cellphone, library, or friend with a computer. Should be an app for that. Is the fingerprint really necessary every time? What does that prove?
So don’t let them get you down. They’re just doing their jobs, but while we await something – ANYTHING – in the way of results from Florida or the US Supreme Court, just go to work, try and use this time to get an education, and stay out of trouble. I completed a 15 year sentence that turned into 18 years because I absconded for two years. đ
Best time of my life, but wouldn’t recommend it these days. Anyway, check the legality of not signing before you refuse and…oh…one more thing.
The system works because people are a certain percentage of compliant, that is to say the majority of probationers and parolees report every month. What would happen is everyone – ALL – just refused to report for a month? Two months? Would the system collapse? The only thing holding it together is your voluntary compliance, albeit under threat of prison, but an organized protest by not reporting (paying blood money), would certainly send a message. Be safe out there.
We recommend that you consult with an attorney before signing any document agreeing to comply with any additional conditions other than those set forth in your sentencing documents or by Florida Statutes.
I am having trouble finding the statute that deals with Halloween for RSOs – do you have a link? Thanks – I know I used it a couple of years ago but cannot seem to find it now.
Iâm not aware of a state statute on Halloween, but many counties have made their own. A link to the Duval county statute is below. What remains to be seen is whether this could stand up to a First Amendment challenge, as the decoration of ones home or body is a form of speech.
https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIXPUSA_CH685SEOFSEPRRE_S685.104PRACSEOFSEPREX
The last time I checked in with the Brevard County sheriff’s office I was told that providing my internet addresses was all that I needed to do. I have no other social media accounts…primarily because I find them to be too time consuming and not being worth the time invested.
Excellent letter Thank you
Thank you for the letter to the St Lucie Sheriff
This reminds me of the traditional Halloween signing ritual. Although I realize they are saying this has a criminal component. Thank you FAC for fighting it!
The Halloween Warning in my county explicitly states RSO’s are will be arrested should they participate in the holiday in any way.
I get it every year. My victim was my 27 year old wife. Not disparaging others regardless of their crime, or saying once their debt has been paid they deserve sanctions not originally contemplated. Just trying to demonstrate lunacy of where these laws and ordinances have taken us.
UNLESS your county has a specific ordinance about Halloween if you are off paper there are specific state laws that govern Halloween. Those are the rules you have to follow and they cannot threaten you with arrest for anything unless they have a county law in place. Now those on probation are a different story
Thanks Karen. Not on any paper other than that floriduh added to me in the form of registry. Crime was 1991; adjudicated 1992. EOS’d from any sentencing court sanctions in 2001. All other sanctions have been added without due process.
Never researched the county ordinances; nor the state laws. I simply receive the warning, and then ignore it. I do not pass out candy, as that would be too overt a “kiss my a**” to the nazis…I mean state of floriduh.
Yet, I have always, and will continue to accompany my daughters as they trick-or-treat. Last I checked, protecting the lives of one’s children is an “unalienable” right. Now I don’t fear the folks on the RSO/P list; rather, I fear the drunk drivers, speeders et. al. that pose a far greater risk to my young children.
DW – I tried to find the statute but did not have any luck. What I know is that the rules are a lot less restrictive for those off paper than those flyers indicate.
I have been told they are unenforceable by one of the officers that does my home check.
Only willing to ensure safety of my children as far as bucking their “No trick or treating” goes. Refuse to leave them unsupervised, or rely on someone else to ensure their well-being.
floriduh takes the cake does it no?
What happens if you Pagan/Wiccan? That is one of their MAJOR holidays/festivals. Are they going to stop you from practicing your religion??
On the halloween “registration/compliance” thing; if you are off “paper” you do not have to “register” or sign any papers, or listen to their Nazi type controlling speech. That is what one BSO deputy did for me. Got the cops to back off and I havent been bothered from the cops for the past 3 years.
Thank God we have the F.A.C. and other agencies like it otherwise we would truly be in dire straights. How many had signed it before the letter was sent? they may have a suit against the sheriff if they are illegally detained or jailed
i just hope no one has to go through the insanity of waiting in jail until the get a court date