The Defender Association of Philadelphia and A Pennsylvania RSO on Probation and His Experience Registering Under The New Adam Walsh Act

This written by a probationer about his experience complying with the newly enacted Adam Walsh Act in Pennsylvania.

I wanted to pass along my experience on Dec. 21st when I was ordered to report by Probation to register under the new Act 111. I just had to fill out a lot of paperwork, even though I've registered with the State Police before. I had to bring with me my car registration and my mom's, since I drive her car once in a while. I had to give them e-mail addresses and any school or work info. So the usual bs. 

But along with the probation officers were at least 5 representatives from the Defender Association of Philadelphia (where I live). I was shocked to see them, but grateful they were there. They were talking to us one on one and explaining why they want to fight this unjust law. They had a short form for each person to fill out so they could start to get plaintiffs together for a massive lawsuit. And the best part is that they are public defenders, so money is not an issue, although I'm sure they take donations, but I don't know that.  

I've been in contact with the Defender Association of Philadelphia through Karl Baker who is Chief of the Appeals Division for a few months now. He has kept me informed of any court cases that have anything to do with my specific situation. 

I would suggest all of you in PA call or write the Defender Assoc. soon to be a part of this lawsuit or at least to get some more info on the fight. Here is the contact info: Defender Association of Philadelphia1441 Sansom StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19102(215) 568-3190

Out of State Registered Sex Offenders Visiting PA

I just called the Pennsylvania State Police for clarification: if you are an out of state registered sex offender visiting PA for more than 7 aggregate days in a calendar year then you must register as a PA sex offender and all that entails.

Pennsylvania Adam Walsh Act Requirements To Be Challenged via RSOL

Sex Offender Registration Requirements to be Challenged 
 

December 20, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Larry Neely
RSOL Legal Committee

 

Reform Sex Offender Laws Inc. (RSOL) plans to soon challenge sections of Senate Bill 1183 (Pennsylvania’s new sex offender registration requirements) on multiple constitutional grounds.

Today marks the beginning of enforcement of a controversial new state law that purports to protect citizens from registered sex offenders. RSOL’s executive director Brenda Jones stated, “It is disappointing that Pennsylvania’s lawmakers chose to ignore the lessons learned when Ohio proceeded down this same disastrous path more than five years ago.” Ohio was the first state to be deemed AWA complaint, but the courts subsequently have found several aspects of Ohio’s new law unconstitutional. After expending millions of taxpayer dollars defending an unconstitutional law, Ohio was forced  to revert back to the old registration system for those sentenced prior to the new law’s enactment.

Jones stated that provisions of Pennsylvania’s new law “transform what is supposed to be a non-punitive, civil regulatory measure into a form of lifetime probationary supervision for most persons on the registry,” which RSOL believes to be blatantly unconstitutional. “And further,” she continues, “all individuals on Pennsylvania’s registry will see their registration periods dramatically increase, with the majority becoming life-timers. This,” she emphasized, “is a violation of the ex post facto clause.”

Jones stated that although the new law was touted by its supporters as necessary to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act (AWA), “It does little if anything to improve public safety, and any marginal benefit achieved is at the expense of trampling over our most cherished constitutional protections.”

Jones concluded her remarks by saying, “It is most unfortunate that RSOL must undertake such a challenge, but make no mistake about it; we cannot and will not stand by while public policymakers shred the constitution and disregard their oaths of office.”


RSOL promotes the elimination of sexual abuse and the preservation of civil rights for all individuals through the use of effective legislation based on empirical research. We envision sexual offense laws based on equal justice and respect for the dignity of all people, protection from retroactively applied punishment, and the establishment of fact-based laws and policies which protect our communities.
 

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