Lawyer Meaghan Ybos to be President of Women Against Registry
The great Meaghan Ybos is set to take over as President of Women Against Registry (WAR). As WAR’s Past President Vicki Henry writes, “Meaghan is a surprising ally: a prominent and outspoken survivor of rape who is dedicated to abolishing the registry, ending systems of perpetual punishment, repealing pre-crime preventative detention laws, and shuttering shadow prisons.
Vicki further writes, “in 2003 at the age of sixteen, Meaghan was raped in Memphis. She was revictimized by the state when law enforcement did not investigate the case or test her rape kit for more than nine years. Meaghan strategically used the (all-too-common) mishandling of her rape case to raise awareness about needed policy changes. In 2015, Meaghan and a group of lawyers and community organizers formed People for the Enforcement of Rape Laws (PERL), which advocates for criminal justice reform and for several years provided the community’s only peer support for people who experienced sexual violence. She is also a contributing writer at The Appeal, part of the Harvard University School of Law’s Fair Punishment Project. Meaghan holds a BA in English from Rhodes College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi.
Vicki “will continue on as a senior strategic advisor for the next six months to help Meaghan stand up her new Board — after which I intend to take a sabbatical to focus on my family and pivot my work to the dire need for prison and sentencing reform. WAR will be announcing new additions to its Board over the coming months as Meghan builds her team to create meaningful systemic change.
“Over the past dozen years, I’ve met thousands of people from all over the country from every walk of life and level of income who have been baptized by fire into this movement — people who share my commitment to ending the sex offense legal regime. I’m excited about this new chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where this new, youthful leadership will take us in the fight for the rights of our families to live free from the stigma of the registry.”
Wow. Just wow. What a video and what courage. With heroes like her fighting with us – I feel hopeful. We will all fight the injustices. In the courts, in the ballots, in the legislature, in the media. We will fight this injustice everywhere and anywhere. We will not give up.
I answered an ad on Yahoo.com personals from a girl who claimed to be 18 and said she was an escort. We ended up meeting and had sex. A few weeks later I got arrested for having sex with a minor. I had no clue, even the arresting detective who was a female said that she definitely looked 18-20. For that, I am on the sex offender registry.
I pray they can get rid of the register Sex Offender registry. I think the law is so corrupt. Or they changed the rules on it. A lot of us on the S.O.R. have never had a record of past felony arrest. This incident that happened to us, that got us to have to register has a sex offender for just a one time incident. And a lot of ours is consent. In my case my was consent. I didn’t force my so called victim to do anything. It was a 2 way road. We both played in on it consent. One of the family members wanted to press charges on me for no dang reason. After I fought my case I ended up getting probation and have to register has a sex offender. I am no way in any shape a threat. A lot of these young ones lie about there age. There is young ones out there that look older then there true young age. We can fall victim to them. There is so much social media today then ever. They can go on there and pretend who they are. My victim lied to me about her age. I guarantee you, if I would have known the real true age. I would have not got involved in anything at all. My victim looked like she was 18. I was told that. But that was not true. I have no idea what the victim and the family said to authorities. I feel so wrong to what happen to me in my situation. I pray they can fix the S.O.R.
If it was a one-time incident such as yours then I see no reason for this to happen, but unfortunately like myself I have 2 low level FELONIES against the state and no one else but I’m saddled as a Felon for LIFE. Hmmmm Now I’ve done my time and paid back why can’t I get my Rights back automatically. Remember the system of JUST US was created for black runaway slaves.
[Moderated]
Meaghan Ybos is an attorney from Memphis, Tennessee which is in the same circuit as Michigan (6th Circuit Court of Appeals). With everything going on in Michigan and the 6th Circuit, this could get interesting.
Its so refreshing to have someone like Meaghan step up and fight against something that one would think she would be in favor of after all she has been through.
Thank you Meaghan.
I disagree wholeheartedly as a male who was Victimized 3 times as a kid by 3 different adults. I say the registry is a needed service to KEEP these people from revictizing others. The needs of the Safety of the Community are more Dire than the RIGHTS of someone who DESTROYED the LIFE of another by what they have done. We fail TO realize that these persons more than likely have a History of Sexual Predatorism throughout their whole lives and just now getting caught. These people for lack of A better word can’t be fixed and need to be monitored continuously until they die off. I can tell you there’s a growing number of people who are ready to take the law into their own hands once these predators are caught in our neighborhoods USA. I don’t understand for the life of me what would make someone who has been Sexually Violated themselves be interested in ridding this Sexual Predator Registry. Just suppose they got rid of it and she got Victimized again by someone living in her neighborhood, that perhaps had she known she could’ve been more cautious of where he lives and works. Hmmmmm.
I SUPPORT KEEPING THE REGISTRY AT ALL COST!
D A Dorset
Glad you expressed your concerns. Nobody deserves to be a victim. But you have been gravely misled with false information. The biggest lie is “ those on the registry have committed many other offenses, just not been caught” . No proof, no evidence , no anything but BS period! Sure that is true for a few, but not the other 99% on the registry. That’s what you are failing to understand. That is why the registry is such a failure. It makes no efforts to distinguish those that are a threat and those that just made a mistake or even those falsely convicted. Of which my attorney told me make up 20% of those convictions.
Where do you think it’s right to punish innocent people for life. If that’s what you call justice than I’ll pray for you.
Now I do believe that not everyone deserves to be on the list, I do agree with that.
Hypothetically: What if a person reoffends after being caught 1 time, then what do we say then?
[Moderated].
Thanks Sen Book.
@ Mr. D.A Dorsett
In Florida we are divided up by sex offender or sexual predator. Usually those sentenced as a predator are those who had numerous victims, or those who completed their sentences then did the same thing or worse again so they then become categorized as a predator.
As someone who is not listed as a predator, I have just a state statue on my drivers license that means I have had a sex offense in my past. For those who got placed as a predator, they actually have that word written on their licenses.
Another thing is, currently Florida registration is for life no matter how behaved you are. Other states when you do not reoffend after a certain amount of time, you can be removed from the registry. Here in Florida it is a life sentence on the registry. If I was passing by a school and my car broke down and I pulled into school property, I could be arrested just for being present on school property no matter what excuse even if legitimate. You could go back to prison for basically have a car break down. Any offender not on the registry would not meet that same criteria.
Be aware that there is no escape from the federal SORNA requirements to register, regardless of state or current status. Please correct me if I am wrong, but i don’t believe I am.
@CW
Also there are people all the time come in here that are no longer on the registry and they did not have to go back on through federal. They just like to check in on everybody from the old gang and to be honest, if I get removed, I would still come in here and support everyone getting removed.
@CW
I went back into my saved emails from a month ago from the expert registry attorney and I was correct that I had asked him about having to go on SORNA registry if I got removed.
Here is his reply which was #1 of 20 questions I pestered him with and he answered every single one without hesitation.
No you would not have to go back on
Attorney Ron M. Kleiner South Florida
Thanks for your opinion. Troll much? According to what you say you beleive here. I’ll give you some more to Kool-Aid to drink. The earth is flat and ailens are actually in control of the whitehouse.
Along the lines of your statements this should be easily beleived.
@ Throwing
I seem to be having a civil conversation with Mr. Dorsett and some of the points I made he agrees with. We are not going to win people over by attacking them.
Yep. Your correct. I’ve been on the registry my entire adult life. With no chance of removal in. Fl, If I thought for one second he was here to learn something? I’d agree with you. But he’s not here for that. He is clearly trolling the site. But feel free to talk all you want. I however an becoming a little tires of holding my opionon anymore. It’s been 33 years. I was a teenager at the time of the single offence. I no longer feel the need to appease people’s stupidity. Just My Opinion.
I was once like you. But I’m tired now, and I’m getting sick of peoples nonsence. So if they want to tell me how this registry is useful and great. I shall enlightening them on how I feel it’s absolutely insane as A flat earth or aliens.
Amen!!!!
@ Throwing
We have a lot in common, Mine was a Florida case as well and 33 years ago also. The judge I had was so mean my lawyer asked to be excused and vomited in the trash cans in the hall. After doing that, I knew my goose was cooked. She (The judge) would not let either of us get two words in, rather she ranted on me telling me if it were up to her I would be sent straight to Hell.
I went back on an appeal 4 times and got shot down each time. Finally a new circuit court judge was appointed and he canceled the remaining sentence even though the same prosecutor was present and she was not having it, but it was not up to her.
When both of us were arrested and went to court to face a judge, there was no talk of any registry so how is it fair we did not get to use that to get a lower sentence? Those who came after us could at least tell the judge”Hey I am already facing a life sentence on the registry so go easy on me.” We were short changed and lied to.
I am eligible to be removed from registry but am afraid because I know of 3 people who got off and a law caused them to go right back on.
Throwing in the Towel:
You’re not alone in being sick and tired of the registry. We are getting a lot of this feedback especially from people who have been on the registry for years. Your point supports the point that I was trying to make in my other comments.
The entire registry must be abolished. If they want to place a person on the registry they must first prove that it is necessary in a fair court hearing. If they want to make this information public, they must first prove that this is necessary in a fair court hearing.
We all make mistakes. Putting people on the registry simply because they showed poor judgment one time in the past is counter productive. Poor judgment is a part of adolescence and carries on into their 20’s. By the time that most people reach their mid to late 20’s, their brain has become fully developed and they show better judgment. To keep beating a person over the head because of something stupid they did in their teens or 20’s is absolutely asinine.
@Vocal
Although I am against the registry, it is especially disturbing that some were put on while it was active but many of us were put on retroactively. Those who knew there was a registry when they got sentenced had a chance to at least try to use that at trial as leverage.
Me and many others had already been to court, got sentenced and were being released from prison by time the registry was started in Florida. I/we thought we were free but instead we got an unexpected new life sentence on the registry.
I want to inform you. The registration might have been around at the time of my situation that happened. The lady lied about her age to me. I never have been arrested or involved with law enforcement in my life time. After my situation that happened. Thus was the first time I ever heard about the registration. I never new about it. I didn’t Is follow the news that much. This was all new to me. And it sucks.
Vocal
I too have had my comments thrown out because too long. So I’ll try to cut it.
My offense was before the registry was started but they kept postponing the court date to be able to put me on the registry. Which at the time didn’t know anything about till later.
My charges were for lewd and lascivious. I was supposedly seen stepping out of my bathroom naked . The kids were unknowingly to me messing around in a vacant house next to mine. I saw one look my direction as they were running towards the street.
As I thought it’s possible they did see me I agreed to a plea deal to a misdemeanor charge.no jail time $75.00 fine.Later finding out I was to be put on a registry for 10 years. Then I was removed in 2008. That was Kansas. I now live in Missouri . They say it’s a felony and because minors were involved lifelong registry.
Were they victims? I don’t know. If they were can anyone explain that to me.
Now you how Black Males feel who haven’t done anything but get stopped for BS sakes, all our lives. I feel that not everyone needs to be placed on the registry based on a 1-time issue like yours, if it was indeed truthful.
Mr D A Dorsett
I know you are correct about black males being targeted. But they are not the only ones. If someone in law enforcement thinks they can boost their career, you are toast. Facts don’t matter, laws don’t matter, rights don’t matter.
I promise what I said is true. If you can find attorney that can get it back in court I’ll gladly put my money where my mouth is .
@D A Dorsett
Thank you for your input, I just hope and pray no one you know, love or cares about gets put on the registry. It is not just the person arrested who has to live through this but also our families who have feces thrown at them, have their windows shot out just missing my Mom’s head, tires slashed and more.
Hope you can have some peace and solace. Not all of us are monsters and not all had an accuser that was underage. And a few had an ex who wanted revenge for something and used the accusations to get that.
Hmmm that’s not good but then again, I do not know what happened in your case for me see if you deserved all that. People are upset in 2023 about so many kids that go missing and are raped and killed that they no longer care anymore other than for Vengeance. Not all people should be placed on the Registry once they can prove that this was a 1-time issue or you have childhood sexual assaults as well that are sealed by the courts.
@ Mr. D.A Dorsett
Thanks for at least having an open mind in certain cases. None of us on it, want to be on it, especially since in some cases like mind, it was never mentioned when I got sentenced. Once I got out of prison to rebuild my life, BAM! The registry came calling. I can say on some aspects, it is worse than my probation that I did.
Mr Dorsett, You are blind to the purpose of this forum by the horrors you experienced as a child.
@sarah
My crime happened over 33 years ago. Never had an arrest before or since. I like the fact Mr. Dorsett came here. But showing that (Some of us) can be civil and share our own pain might just change someone’s mind. Being mean to them is not the way to turn enemies into allies. Even if someone never come around, it just takes one to listen and at least think we are all monsters hiding behind a tree trying to snatch children.
I once thought like you and actually chewed FAC for allowing people to come in here and say these things about us. But now I understand, they are hurting. Yes there are groups who want to kill us but there are also people who just want some answers.
I am a registered sexual predator My case goes back 1998 I was 20 years old when I made a mistake no I wasn’t lurking chasing me behind anyone peeking through windows I just made a mistake, and I feel sorry for it I only have one victim over the age 18 a knife was mentioned That’s why I was classified as a sexual predator one mistake so no Mr Cherokee everyone don’t have multiple victim to be the predator The department of law enforcement put it on me after sentencing
@ light
I was not told there would be a registry when I was sentenced and did not know until other inmates told me once they saw I was getting out soon. (Crazy how much inmates can find out about people)
I remember in 1997 when I was put on it was a one time thing unless you had updates or changes. Then I had to start going in person twice a year and they for no reason I was moved to 4 times a year. The cop who comes to my house said that is incorrect but when I asked the registry department, they said that is what FDLE said to do. Hog wash.
A problem with the registry Mr. Dorsett is the it fails to prevent sexual assault from happening. As others have pointed out the majority of people who commit these crimes weren’t on the registry. Second, the hodgepodge of restrictions like residential, employment, leisure, are the antithesis of what constitutes a successful and meaningful reintegration into society. Lastly, no other set of charges brings about such restrictions. Yes, murder is often a life sentence, but even then there isn’t a public registry.
I’m tired of being unemployed, living out in the woods and practically unable to access health care. My offense was the result of me being lured into an entrapment sting on Craigslist. I screwed up and I took my punishment. Yet I saw on Channel 9 News the other day, the pos who assaulted me in VCBJ evading the police, his list of offenses are far more than mine.
How is it failing IF it STOPS more people from even thinking about to starting to Sexually Assault someone. This Registry is not full proof, but it allows others to be cautious also if they are living in the community. Should the LAW STOP locking up people for crimes because people still get into trouble. BTW when you get a FELONY on your record that’s called PUBLIC REGISTRY, so there really is no difference.
It’s a rather foolish notion to believe that any law or public posting will stop a person from a breaking a law should they have any intention of doing so.
“Hmm, I think I’ll go sexually assault someone. Oh, bother… Nevermind. There’s a public registry of which I’m already on.”
Sounds rather naive does it not?
@ SC
It is actually very effective.
It is effective at shaming us for life.
It is effective at allowing vigilantes to attack us and our families both verbally and physically.
It is effective at keeping us down to where we cannot get a job so we cannot support our families.
Is effective at not allowing us to live in all but a small percentage of areas.
I could go on but all of us live this on a daily basis.
That’s the whole point . It doesn’t stop anyone from thinking about it. Instead it put a notice in front of them constantly telling them you are a criminal you can’t change so you may as well go back to doing the thing you did before because society won’t let you become a better person that you would like to be.
And by the way not all on the registry are felons. Many were charged with misdemeanor offenses but are treated the same as felons.
[Moderated].
Mr. Dorsett, there isn’t any empirical evidence that shows the registry is a deterrent to crime.
There are no housing restrictions by law against exfelons. There are no laws dictating what municipal or business establishment they may enter.
What notification did your neighbors get when you moved into the neighborhood. How many times do the police show up on your doorstep for a compliance check or address verification. Should your neighbors need to be extra cautious because you live nearby. How likely are you to reoffend.
That is a little bit wrong and allow me to explain please.
As former law enforcement myself, once someone has a felony, it stays on their record. A job background check can find it but otherwise, that person is not hassled and no one knows.
The registry on the other hand is on steroids. Officers or deputies come to our houses (Even though we have done our time) and grill us with questions several times a year just like we are on probation even though we are not. Our registry page with our address is and photo is available to anyone although no other crime allows that. We have to go into the registry office 2 to 4 times a year to re-register and ANY new updates we have like leaving the state for vacation, getting a new car, having a relative or a roommate who got a new car (Every car has to register at our homes even those other people are not on the registry)
Some of us have to take polygraphs (Not me but have heard of some that do) even though we/they have completed their sentences. My point is, we did and are not given a 2nd chance at life. We are on probation for life even though we are not, it is the same thing. Our driver’s licenses are marked as a sex offender statue or as a sexual predator, the actual words.
Not all of us are every going to offend again so why make ever person suffer for the few who re-offend?
And sorry for those on here who are being gruff towards you, I am just trying to show you our side of life. Most of us have owned what we did but are given a life sentence that was not given by any judge because law makers found a way around not giving us life sentences. Thanks for listening.
I agree it needs to be reformed so that a person who has remained crime free for a period of time should be REMOVED entirely. But others who are stone cold reoffenders should remain for life and also need to find out if they sexually abused kids as a kid. Those records should be opened up if someone Sexually abuse someone.
You’re a better person than I am Cherokee.
BWj
I am not better than anyone else. I am getting old and to sick to wage wars with people. I have heart issues, I use to love to argue, but it is not worth it. I am not becoming soft but as my days are numbered, I am trying think how a pastor, priest or clergy person would address the situation.
I am not afraid of dying as I know where I am going, I am just afraid of dying and still being on the registry. If that happens, I will make sure to haunt the registry offices endlessly LOL
Thank you.
CherokeeJack we have some similar issues.
I am a Vet. 100% service connected medical problems. I am no threat to anyone. I am old and impotent.
I thank God my wife loves and supports me.
I live in Michigan and we go to Florida one a year for vacation. I was not aware of the Florida SO registry until after I had to register.
The registry is an abomination, a festering wound on humanity. Politictions maintain and or advance their careers on the backs of us on the registry.
I read once that the majority of people on the Florida registry do not live full time there. The registry is a money maker.
Men are homeless, can’t get a job. Some get killed. The harsh mental impact that comes from guilt, worry, and fear can be unbearable.
What has happened to this world, how did we get so bad that the laws designed to protect and help us got so convoluted that even those who are relegated to administering these laws are confused.
Sorry for ranting, I needed to unload.
@Mac
You can rant and unload on me anytime if it helps and makes you feel better.
And as far as putting people on Florida’s registry forever for just coming for a visit is one of the top 10 biggest scams ever in Florida.
Mac:
I hope you are one of the ones removed from the registry in Michigan when the Does litigation becomes final.
I believe that some people whose offense predated 1997 might not have to register in Florida. I might be wrong so you need to check Florida law.
They might be requiring you to register in Florida because you are required to register in Michigan. If you are removed from the Michigan registry, talk to an attorney in Florida to see if you can be removed from the Florida registry.
Everyone is placed on the Florida registry for life. Boban Temelkoski won in the Michigan Supreme Court and was removed from Michigan’s registry (see People v Temelkoski). He was on the Florida registry and has since been removed. Mention his case to your attorney in Florida if you are removed from the Michigan registry.
What you fail to realize is that placing people’s names, pictures, and information on a list does absolutely NOTHING to stop any of them from reoffending, and anyone who actually believes the registry keeps the public safe has [moderated].
Placing people on the registry in order to stop them from reoffending or to keep the public safe makes about as much sense as creating a registry of every crime in the world then placing every human being on it and sitting back and saying, “Yay, world peace. No more crime because everyone is listed on it.”
If I wanted to reoffend, which I won’t, having my name and info on the registry would NEVER stop me, so please give me just ONE valid example of how the registry keeps the public safe and prevents someone from reoffending. I’ll wait….
[Moderated].
@Disgusted
And, even though our families’ names are not on the registry, if they live with us, they fear being attacked, mistaken for me, and more. Our cars, even ones that are not mine, have had their tires slit, paint scratched, feces thrown on it and once even set on fire.
The windows of our house have been shot out three times, once just missing a relatives head as it was not my bedroom but theirs. We have our mail stolen so often we had to get a po box. The grandkids cannot play with the neighbor kids because they get beat up or bullied and are home schooled.
Collectively we could come up with over 1000 punishments and crimes committed against us which law enforcement dismisses because of who we are. Half the time they do not even respond and we wait for hours for them. When we call back we are told, oh, just fill out a report online. WHAT?
There is a number of people tired as well that are on the registry, reformed, and waiting for those who want to take the law into there own hands and protect there innocent families @ all cost. Itll be called self defense.
[Moderated]
What an angle! Meaghan Ybos for US president.
I pray and I’m thankful to all the people than be fight for the rights of our families to live free from the stigma of the registry.”
Women fighting for freedom and equality – removal of the Registry in its entirety. I will be joining WAR.
Thank you, Ann. We appreciate people like you.
Thank you Ann Salamone. We need more people like you.
Hi, Ann
We are all so grateful for everyone you’ve done and continue to do on our behalf. You are a true inspiration!
Thank you Ann🙏🏽🙏🏽
I agree the registry should be abolished. Not so much for the ones on it but for the families. We all have children and grandchildren this affects to. They get bullied and beat up just because a relative is on the registry. I read that they want green license plates, how is that helping?? Someone’s having a heart attack or sick and needs to be driven to the hospital and someone starts shooting at their car the innocent victim is the driver or passengers. The innocent ones are children sleep in their beds when their house is shot up or broken into and the ones inside are attacked because it’s on the registry. It needs to be taken away. You got to jail or prison for selling drugs or murder you don’t see them on any registry to say stay away or watch out for these people.
I want to bring this up. I was talking to a lawyer ne time about sex offender registration. I asked him a question about those who move to Florida that were once on a registration before in a other state then got off the registration. He told me he if move to Florida they must re-register. If there caught and they don’t they could face charges. That made no sense to me. How is a ex S.O.R. from another state suppose to know that. That is ridiculous. Something has to be done with the S.O.R. it out of control.
It’s no different than a person who has a FELONY in another state it follows you no matter what. Unless you in small HickTown where it doesn’t matter get noticed or they DO NOT have technology to do advanced backgrounds on people.
It’s completely different from other felonies. There are work programs for ex felons but they don’t work for those on the registry. No business can economically take a chance on having their name associated with the stigma of a so . Plus everyone knows about it because it’s on their driver’s licenses, plates are listed home addresses and anything else they want to know to vandalize or publicly shame. Everyone has cell phones. That’s all you need . Hic towns included.
The registry cannot be fixed. It was a bad idea to begin with . Not to mention unconstitutional. It must be eliminated.
[Moderated]
I agree that in certain circumstances if it was a onetime issue then you should be afforded to your name Removed from the registry and your License. But I also would like for the states to UNSEAL that person’s Juvenile record too, to see if they had a record of such then they should remain on the Registry.
[The moderator notes that sexual offenses committed as a juvenile remain publicly listed on the Florida registry for years after the person has remained crime-free as an adult].
I don’t have an issue with private records. Just the public registry. Most places they are available for LE anyway.
What sucks about the S.O.R. is traveling to other countries. There are those that won’t let you in if you know the register. This has become a a whole world thing. It Stabs you from being able to go 2 other countries that have restrictions for people on register. I want to vist other countries before I pass away on earth. Has long has I am on the S.O.R. I won’t be able to. That sucks. They need to be softer on one Offenders with no Previous felony. Like me. I never had a Innocent with the law enforcement till this situation happened.
@Deserve
When I was working, I was going to a different country every year. I never had an issue overseas. It was when I came back to the U.S where I always missed my connecting flight because I was detained for sometimes up to four hours. The one time I was treated decently was when my sister was with me and there was a witness. Plus that officer I could tell was a decent guy. He in private when my sister was not in the room, told me to have a safe trip home.
Once they changed things and started turning people away from entering, I threw my passport into a volcano and watched it burned (Symbolically as I burned it in the fire pit in my back yard but a volcano would have been awesome).
@CherokeeJack,
I was going to Mexico on year on a mission trip to help build a home for the needy with a team. When I got to the boarder crossing. They took me in a private room. I was there for 30 minutes has they were researching my situation being on S.O.R. They cane back out to me and told me I was not welcome here and told me to go back home. I was turned away. I was very upset. I was going there for a good deed.
Deserve a Second Chance:
I’m sorry to hear about your ordeal. Most people on the registry walk across the border and have family drive their car into Mexico. Never take a plane into Mexico. Which border crossing were you turned away at?
@Vocal
I was not turned away, but a few years ago people on here were saying they were being sent back by other counties at the direction of the U.S Government. Which raises the question why allow people to leave if they are not able to enter.
#2 it would not let me reply on your other post so will do it here. You said if you were before 1997 you don’t have to be on the registry in Florida and that is not correct. My crime was from 1991 and I am on it for life. Even if you die, Florida keeps you registered which makes no sense other than the state gets paid for each person on the registry in the form of compliance funding.
Cherokee Jack:
Someone had contacted VOCAL some years back about registering in Florida. VOCAL found something in Florida law about pre-1997 offenders which I don’t recall the specifics offhand, that’s why I mentioned that some people might not be required to register. I never said ALL people. We are aware that there are people with pre-1997 offenses who are on the Florida registry. If I recall correctly, persons on parole or probation or were in prison on a certain date in 1997 were required to register. It’s been some time since we had that question and the law may have changed since, that’s why I said SOME people MIGHT NOT have to register.
VOCAL’s position is that these laws are unconstitutional and no one should be required to register. It’s a personal decision whether a person chooses to comply with these laws or not. We cannot recommend that people not comply with the law, but we do support those who refuse to register. We are actually currently working on an article for our blog on the thousands of former offenders who are [deleted language accusing people of legal non-compliance—- moderator].
We are also trying to figure out how VOCAL can support those who refuse to register. If you have any ideas on how we can support those who refuse to register or would like to participate in our efforts, please let us know at [address withheld]. Please keep in mind that our budget is zero and we have no paid staff so our resources and time are very limited.
[Moderator’s note: FAC will not support non-compliance with the law. Legal non-compliance should be shared only with one’s attorney and not with this or any other blog].
With all due respect to VOCAL, anyone who is unsure whether they are compliant with the law should share this information only with their attorney. They should NOT share this information with VOCAL, unless VOCAL is a law firm, which it has not stated it is. We also ask that commenters not use FAC’s platform to express support for non-compliance with the law.
Some people have no problem complying with the registry. However, the registry is upsetting the lives of untold thousands of people. Read the comments on this site. Many people are angry and believe that it is time to stand up and fight.
They lack the funds for attorneys so their only option is to refuse to register so the state appoints them an attorney. In states like Texas where they are facing life for an FTR this is a foolish option because if they lose they could potentially spend the rest of their lives in prison, i.e., James Ray Bates.
In Michigan most receive probation and the rest serve anywhere from a few months to one or two years. What FAC doesn’t realize is that prosecutions in Michigan for FTR are few and far between despite having thousands of people who are not compliant. We cannot locate a single case of a prosecution being reported in the press for FTR in Michigan in more than a year despite thousands being non-compliant. And that is the gist of our story.
VOCAL continuously tells people to comply with the law and be patient while this plays out in the courts. They tell us they are unemployed and have just been evicted. We are sleeping comfortably in our homes while they are sleeping under a bridge or in their car or couch surfing. Many tell us that they have nothing to lose or are fed up with the registry. FAC should be able to understand this because they are dealing with the same people and getting the same feedback.
We are not encouraging people not to register. We are trying to provide whatever support that we can when they do reach that point where they can either no longer comply with the law or are tired of it holding them back and not allowing them to participate constructively in society.
Moderator:
That’s what I said. We don’t recommend that people not comply with the law.
@Vocal
And yet by supporting the statement you made, could influence less informed registrants and cause them to get arrested.
You stated : “but we do support those who refuse to register.” Really really bad advice.
Non compliance and then arrest for such can end your chances to ever be removed from the registry.
Cherokee Jack:
VOCAL does not give out advice. VOCAL recommends that everyone stay compliant with the law. The question is, if someone wants to enforce those rights, where do they turn to? FAC turns them away, VOCAL won’t.
FAC refused to post my reply which would answer your questions. As long as FAC refuses to post our comments you won’t hear the context or our arguments and reasoning. [Moderator’s note: all comments submitted by VOCAL thus far have already been published by Florida Action Committee on this site].
Also, the law is different in Michigan. An FTR doesn’t lengthen the time of your registration period.
Moderator:
I posted a lengthy comment yesterday in response to FAC Contributor #12. That comment has yet to be posted. I believe there is more than one moderator on this site.
Scroll down, click See More, and keep scrolling.
Cash rewards are being offered to those with information that leads directly to the arrest of sex offenders who are not in compliance with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry,
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/09/us/us-marshals-sex-offender-iowa/index.html
I am hoping that many see some great things coming from Meaghan
Ybos. Sure we all get mixed up in many things in life. I have gotten mixed up in many things I shouldn’t have. Florida Action Committee is very important to many to strive with many of you all going thru this trauma type ordeal.
Sure we are all Sinners Ok, but who is leading us into temptation. Is is that girl in the mini skirt, Law enforcement that want to promote this occupational type of danger for their status quo or is the blind leading the blind.
Hey I have no parents they passed away20 yrs ago. I only have an upscale sister that thinks shes’ a Chrissy Brinkley “Up town girl” but she’s still my sister. My other sister is very different.
If one has to live with the registry for life than somethings very wrong with government or they have thrown the bible and its lessons lesson’s down the drain. FAC and Women With Registry still strive to stop all of this registry in many ways.
Writing letters is good. This D.C event was good if government will listen. There is hope for every one of you all so don’t get down on your pity pot go for the gusto. And yes you have a helper in Jesus Christ. FAC and many are also there also to do battle for you all..
FAC Contributer #12:
I think the problem is that you don’t understand the context or the ongoing projects with VOCAL. As I stated, VOCAL recommends that everyone stay in compliance with the law.
However, there are those who choose to stand their ground. The people who make that choice to stand their ground are doing so at the risk of being charged with a crime. Granted, in Michigan that crime might only be a misdemeanor, but they are still technically facing jail time even if they don’t actually serve that time.
Michigan is also an unusual state.
We are in regular contact with registrants in Michigan. We advise them to stay compliant. However, if you go to the Michigan registry you will see that several thousand registrants are non-compliant. No other state comes close to Michigan as far as non-compliance rates are concerned [citation needed]. If you read our blog you will see that we don’t just post a story. We do a deep dive into each story and we will be going into the reasons for Michigan’s non-compliance rate which are rather complex. To complicate things is the paucity of prosecutions for FTR in Michigan. We will be doing this story and in the winter getting more feedback from registrants and doing interviews with the police and prosecutors in order to get a clearer picture of what is actually going on in Michigan. We are also preparing to FOIA every prosecutor’s office in Michigan, so this is going to be quite an endeavor.
Anyway, they keep rejecting my comment as too long so I have to stop here. I had to cut down a lot of my comment, but suffice to say, there is no shortage of comments here that people are ready to take the risk and stand up and fight.
Are you trying to get more people prosecuted?
Let’s calm down people. We’re all on the same side. Don’t do something to get arrested. Fight in the courts and media. Educate, educate, educate. Just like slavery ,it took a long time and there are still those with prejudice but it’s better. If it just gets better , that’s an improvement. One step at a time.
With all due appreciation for David M’s level-headedness, here is an example of some of the complete nonsense that FAC allows to be published on its own site:
“If someone wants to enforce those rights, where do they turn to? FAC turns them away, VOCAL won’t.”
This site is a great platform, but let’s not take it for granted.
Jacob:
I also want to touch on the different perspectives between VOCAL and FAC.
VOCAL was founded in 1984 in response to caretakers being falsely accused of sex abuse, mostly by children in their care. FAC was founded by family members of “sex offenders”. The people who founded VOCAL say that they are innocent, and we believe that they are innocent. The members of FAC say “we are guilty but the registry has turned us into pariahs and outcasts”.
We are not naive. When we were holding meetings the majority of the people who claimed to be innocent probably weren’t. Our view is to give them the benefit of the doubt.
The members of FAC are saying that “we are rehabilitated and ready to rejoin society”. VOCAL supports that rehabilitation because society benefits when offenders rehabilitate themselves. We are happy that you have taken the initiative to make the changes that need to be made in your life so you can participate in society again. We wish you a peaceful and prosperous future in your new found freedom.
FAC was founded on rehabilitation and working within the system. VOCAL was founded on directly confronting the system and saying that these people and others are innocent. FAC is looking at rehabilitation while we are looking at innocent people standing on their rights. Our perspectives are different because of the way members in each organization are oriented.
Not everyone who posts here agrees with your perspective. They are more inclined to stand on their rights even if they are guilty and we will support them if they choose to stand on their rights.
FAC limits the length of comments so I will have to leave it at that.
Jacob:
VOCAL is working on a story on the non-compliance rate in Michigan. That’s the reason for these comments. Someone got us off topic.
We are not trying to get people prosecuted. We are writing a story.
If you would take the time to go to Michigan’s registry and see the number of non-compliant people and research news articles looking for FTR prosecutions in Michigan you would understand. Most people won’t take the time to do this which is why we are doing this. The question is, why does it appear that Michigan isn’t prosecuting FTR’s despite thousands not being in compliance. We have been looking for news articles for an FTR prosecution in Michigan and cannot find any in the last two years. We will be FOIAing every prosecutors office in Michigan in order to try to get accurate information and will post it once we get the results. You can help us out by searching for FTR prosecutions in Michigan within the last year or so and sending it to us at vocalchamp@gmail.com. Or goal is to pass on accurate information, not to misinform everyone.
There are several people working on this story and we all have to work to support ourselves. We have to coordinate what we are doing and all of this takes time and, like FAC, we are all volunteers. Be patient. This story and others that we are working on will add a lot to this conversation and maybe change some of the public’s opinion and, just maybe, you will be seeing some of our work being cited in court cases.
Such a story might feed the perception that sex offenders are getting away with breaking the law. It might raise awareness, but not necessarily in a way that would benefit registrants who are working hard on their rehabilitation. How do we think elected officials and prosecutors would respond to such a story?
Jacob:
There is no perception here. VOCAL is just reporting the facts. Don’t think that we don’t appreciate your input because we do. It is important that we hear from, not only the people who agree with us and our work, but people who disagree with us as well.
Your input is important. Please continue to respond to our posts.
The above was VOCAL’s reply to Contributor 12.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/desantis-signs-into-law-harsher-penalties-for-sex-criminals/ar-AA1bJHUV?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=99b2cf4c0c7c4ddd8dae0dc26cfd91b0&ei=71