As Anaheim sex crimes defense attorneys, we were very interested to read about an apparent attempt to sweep a local sex offender encampment under the rug. The Los Angeles Times reported May 7 that the state Parole Department has moved an encampment of homeless sex offenders out of the block where the parole office is located in Anaheim. The 30 to 40 homeless, some of whom lived in cars or RVs, may have been homeless because of Jessica's Law, the California law that makes it a crime for a registered sex offender to live in certain areas. Anaheim police say they knew about the situation and were working with the homelessness aspect of the case, but didn't know about the Parole Department's decision to move the encampment until after it happened.
Sex offenders in California may not live within 2,000 feet of schools, parks and other sensitive areas. Failing to observe this rule can lead to more criminal charges. However, the residency restriction can severely limit where offenders can live in dense cities, which critics say forces offenders into homelessness. The article said more than a third of sex offenders in Orange County are homeless, and just under a fourth are homeless statewide. The homeless offenders in Anaheim also liked the block because it was next to the parole office, where they were required to meet with officers and permitted to use the electricity to charge their GPS monitoring ankle bracelets. The decision to move the offenders came after media inquiries and complaints from local businesses, the article said, although the Parole Department would not comment. Police said they refrained from citing the offenders for camping on the street because they were trying to work with Parole for a better permanent solution.
Our Yorba Linda sex crimes criminal defense lawyers are disappointed that police and parole officers tolerate a situation that causes unnecessary homelessness. Jessica's Law was intended to protect children by keeping an eye on the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders. By forcing them into homelessness with overly strict residency requirements, the law could actually make it harder for law enforcement to keep an eye on offenders. (This is especially true if the Parole Department doesn't share the relocation information with the local police.) Homelessness also makes it harder for sex offenders to get jobs, which in turn makes it harder for them to rejoin society and avoid recidivism. And of course, it's callous to offer offenders a choice between homelessness and exile from the places and people they know.
Howard Law, P.C. represents Californians accused of all types of sex crimes, from misdemeanors to serious, violent crimes. Sex offenses are some of the most serious offenses in California, with severe penalties for many of them. They are also emotionally troubling, which is why they carry a severe stigma and a high likelihood of media attention. The result can be very harsh laws, including the residency restrictions as well as other lifelong sex offender obligations. In each case, our Redondo Beach sex crimes criminal defense attorneys try to minimize any negative press, which can minimize the damage an accusation can do to your life and your loved ones. We defend sex charges aggressively and can often find weaknesses in cases built solely on the word of an accuser who may not be reliable.
If you're charged with a sex-related crime in California, you should call Howard Law, P.C. as soon as you even think you may be charged. To set up a confidential, free consultation, send us an email or call 1-800-872-5925.
