Category: Michigan Sex Offender Registry
-
What do The Different ‘Tiers’ Mean in Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry?
If you’ve ever looked at the Michigan Sex Offender Registry online, or researched someone who is listed as a sex offender, you probably noticed the ‘tier’ classification system we use. For people who aren’t familiar with the system, this can be a little confusing. So let’s take a look at what it means, and…
-
Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Rules Are Changing
In 2006, Michigan lawmakers changed our Sex Offender Registry laws to be even stricter. The new version of the law prohibited registrants from living, working or even ‘loitering’ within 1,000 feet of a school. Then, in 2011, Michigan law was altered again, this time to divide up sex crimes into tiers. The tiers were…
-
Supreme Court Protects First Amendment Right for Sex Offenders
One of the greatest debates surrounding the issue of sex offenders in Michigan is where the future protection of possible victims stops, and where the violation of Constitutional rights begins. As it is, Michigan is already in the crosshairs when it comes to our sex offender registry. Michigan has more than 42,700 people on…
-
‘Non-Compliant’ Sex Offender Facing Charges
One of the many aspects of being on Michigan’s sex offender registry that people often don’t take into account, is the restrictions it puts on your daily life. In addition to the fact that your personal information and criminal history is available to the public, there are several restrictions that you will be required…
-
Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry – What You Need To Know
The term ‘sex offender’ would lead one to believe that the people who carry this state-imposed label must all be criminals who are guilty of sex crimes. Crimes perhaps like rape, molestation and child pornography. If so, you will be surprised to learn that isn’t the case at all. In fact, there are a…
-
Does the Michigan Sex Offender Registry Affect Holiday Travel?
In the wake of the recent holidays, we have had a number of people contact us to ask about how the Michigan Sex Offender Registry affects travel. Several people apparently experienced first hand, the frustration of how having your name on a government list can affect your holiday travel plans. Not a fun scenario…
-
Supreme Court Considers Banning Sex Offenders From Social Media
The Unites States Supreme Court recently agreed to consider whether or not it is constitutional for a court or a statute to ban registered sex offenders from social media. Those who are perhaps confused by this should realize that the question isn’t whether or not the ban should be implemented, but rather whether or…
-
Michigan Sex Offender Rules May Not Be Retroactive
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Michigan’s sex offender registry law cannot be retroactively applied because the new revisions stiffen the penalties for convicted offenders to the point that they could be considered unconstitutional. This ruling will change how the law is applied to thousands of convicted sex offenders in…
-
Non-Compliance With SORA Requirements Means Trouble (Part 2)
In our introductory article in this series on Michigan’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), we looked at some of what constitutes a violation and what happens when someone violates SORA requirements. Moving on we are going to be taking a more detailed look at exactly what it means to be a registered sex offender…
-
Non-Compliance With SORA Requirements Means Trouble (Part 1)
29-year-old Gary Swindall was recently arraigned in the 52/3 District Court in Rochester, MI for failing to comply with Michigan’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) requirements. According to court documents in Oakland County, Swindall provided the Michigan State Police with a false address in violation of SORA. When police officers arrived at the location…