Sex Offenders Sue Over Halloween Restrictions

With the help of the ACLU, four Missouri registered sex offenders are suing to challenge a new state law that will confine them to their homes on Halloween and restrict them from contact with children that night.

(Wah, wah, wah….)

Lawyers for the registered sex offenders say that the new law leaves them on certain of whether or not they can even costume their own children or grandchildren.

( Actually the law and its interpretation is pretty clear… no means no)

The suit was filed in Federal court in St. Louis and claims that the mandated provisions are too vague to properly enforce and incorrectly ads punishments to sentences already served.

Official spokesman for Attorney General Jay Nixon has promised to defend the statute.

(And we applaud that action!)

The provision which is a part of a broader bill that was signed into law in the summer of 2008 says convicted sex offenders must “Avoid all Halloween related contact with children” by staying inside their homes from five to 10:30 p.m. “unless there is just cause to leave,” as in the case of a work commitment or emergency.

Sex offenders must also keep outside lights turned off hand are required to additionally post a sign that says “no candy or treats at this residence.”

By enforcing this law Missouri has joined Illinois and at least six other states that either actively monitor sex offenders during Halloween or even participating in any fashion whatsoever in Halloween celebrations should those celebrations or activities involve children.

The suit, filed on Friday on the sex offender’s behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, argues that the state law fails to provide enough guidance to police to prevent arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement of the law.

(What a load of bull. In case you were unaware of the acronym ACLU actually stands for “without A CLUE”)

Halloween Law:

The new state law clearly stipulates that on October 31 each year, anyone required to register as a sex offender in Missouri must:

• Avoid all Halloween related contact with children
• Remain inside his or her residence between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, including but not limited to, employment or medical emergencies.
• Post a sign at his or her residence stating “No or treats it as residents”
• Leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5 p.m.

The ACLU legal Director, Tony Rotheret, says that his sex offenders can’t be sure of their status even with their own children or grandchildren. He said the terms “Halloween related contact” and “avoid” and “just cause” are not sufficiently clear.

(Really? Are you serious? the terms of the law are pretty clear to even the layman. Oh but then again you’re the organization that supports Mambla… the “Man Boy Love Association”…)

Rother goes on to say that “there are already pranks on Halloween, if someone wants to harass you and cause you problems on that night you can’t even turn your lights on.”

The bill’s sponsor, Senator John London said following the law is simple: “if they have children or grandchildren, then one’s spouse takes them out, or you go to a party, or you go to some we’re neutral. But we don’t want predators opening their homes on Halloween.”

Until the enactment of this law, London added “that there’s nothing to prevent a brazen predator from trying to hand out candy to kids on Halloween.” Want it also states that he does not consider the law to be additional punishment.

Rotheret said that the ACLU lawyers are still trying to serve all of the defendants with the suit, including Governor Matt Blunt, Jay Nixon and police chiefs and prosecutors in the area where the offenders live.

Spokesman for Governor Matt Blunt, Jessica Robinson said, “We’re not all that surprised that there are now suing the government to make it easier to victimize children.”