Legislation Filed For Upcoming Session Will Push For Extension On Time Sex Offenders Are Included On Sex Offender Registry In Tennessee
Image Credit: tnmap.tn.gov/sor/ & Bryan Richey for State Senate 2 / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
The new General Session is just a few weeks away, and already a flurry of bills are being filed for introduction and consideration in what will be the 114th General Assembly.
One of those bills, House Bill 1617 (HB1617), sponsored by Representative Bryan Richey (R-D20-Maryville), if signed into law will extend the amount of time a person who has been convicted of a sexual offense and obligated to register as a sex offender must remain on the registry from 10 years to 15 years.
HB1617 states: “As introduced, extends from 10 years to 15 years the period of time following termination of active supervision on probation, parole, or any other alternative to incarceration, or discharge from incarceration without supervision after which an offender may file a request for termination of the requirement to register as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.”
When a person is convicted of a sex crime in the state of Tennessee, beyond the criminal penalties which include incarceration, and in many cases restitution to the victims, a civil penalty is imposed which requires those same offenders to register as a sex offender in the state.
Once these persons are included in the registry, they are monitored and their whereabouts made available in an effort to provide an additional measure of safety for the public.
Currently, the law states “A person classified as a “sexual offender” is eligible for removal from the registry if it has been 10 years since the expiration of his/her sentence for a TN conviction, or for a “sexual offender” on the TN registry for an offense from another jurisdiction, 10 years since the expiration of his/her sentence or 5 years…”
This bill would extend that period of time to 15 years. This would only apply to those convicted of crimes perpetrated against persons over the age of 12. Anyone who is convicted of a sexual offense against a person 12 and under is obligated to remain on the registry for the rest of their life.
Since 2003, sex offender registries have been under assault from lawsuits filed by offenders claiming violations of civil rights.
The Supreme Court has determined in cases that include individual 24-hour monitoring, with something like an ankle monitor, or restrictions on offenders which would prohibit the use of social media to be a violation of both 4th and 1st Amendment protections.
An organization called NARSOL (National Association For Rational Sex Offense Laws), is reporting several lawsuits being filed in multiple states in an effort to mitigate punitive consequences that come as a result of a person being convicted of a sex crime.
Such organizations undermine the sovereignty of individual states and the lawmakers that produce the legislation based on the desires of their constituents. And in their own way, seek to normalize and mainstream the behaviors that currently qualify as crimes in many states.
In Tennessee, Representative Richey is endeavoring to do his best to serve and protect the people, in particular the children who are often most vulnerable to becoming victims of these predators.
The general session begins in January and runs through early spring.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Why is there a limit of time at all. Thats a lifetime offence to me.
This is the reason dozens of people on the registry are being removed by federal courts and there is a class action lawsuit against the tbi director and the tn governor . Tn and other states just can’t stop adding requirements and restrictions to people who have not been in any trouble for decades .
It’s amazing how crooked politicians who spend the large majority of their day are allowed to create and propose legislation which is based on scare tactics, that imposes insane restrictions on people who find themselves in situations where they make poor choices and find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The large majority of RSO, own up to their poor choices, work extremely hard to right their wrongs and rehabilitate themselves from a mental as well as emotional standpoint so they can reintegrate into society and lead productive, peaceful lives. The statistics show that recidivism is extremely low. Hell, even murderers get 2d chances at life now.
We seem to forget what the Bible says about forgiveness:
Matthew 18:21-22
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Now, I’m not saying people with violent offenses or pedophiles deserve 2d chances, but the SO legal definition covers a large list of scenarios. Common sense could be applied more when it comes to laws, punishment for crimes, etc. What we fail to realize is, when these punishments are enacted, you affect people getting jobs at whatever point that is a possibility which then affects the percentage of homeless people, suicide rates, crime rates, alcohol and drug addiction rates, etc.
It’s amazing how crooked politicians who spend the large majority of their day trying to line their own pockets while committing white collar crimes that are never prosecuted are allowed to create and propose legislation which is based on scare tactics, that imposes insane restrictions on people who find themselves in situations where they make poor choices and find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The large majority of RSO, own up to their poor choices, work extremely hard to right their wrongs and rehabilitate themselves from a mental as well as emotional standpoint so they can reintegrate into society and lead productive, peaceful lives. The statistics show that recidivism is extremely low. Hell, even murderers get 2d chances at life now.
We seem to forget what the Bible says about forgiveness:
Matthew 18:21-22
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Now, I’m not saying people with violent offenses or pedophiles deserve 2d chances, but the SO legal definition covers a large list of scenarios. Common sense could be applied more when it comes to laws, punishment for crimes, etc. What we fail to realize is, when these punishments are enacted, you affect people getting jobs at whatever point that is a possibility which then affects the percentage of homeless people, suicide rates, crime rates, alcohol and drug addiction rates, etc.
I made a revision to my original post.