ME- Maine's high court takes up sex offender laws

It is going to be interesting to see how the court views whether this law is or is not "further punishment" which is a requred element to declare a law a violation of the ex post facto clause; so many folks simply do not understand how the law decides whether a law is a violation or not. No matter what the public feels on the issue of punishment, that does not matter, it is what the court decides, that matters.

2-10-2009 Maine:

PORTLAND -- Maine's Supreme Court is taking up the issue of whether the state's online sex offender registry can be applied retroactively.

The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments today in two separate cases involving convicted sex offenders who didn't register as required by a change in state law. Lower court judges sided with the men, ruling that the state law is unconstitutional.

One of the men was 19 when he was convicted of rape for having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Now he's required to register for the rest of his life. The other man was convicted of two lesser felonies.

Last year, lawmakers attempted narrow the circumstances under which a person would be required to register, but Gov. John Baldacci refused to sign the bill.

The court is scheduled to take up the proceedings at 1:45 p.m. The Portland Press Herald is planning to cover the hearing. ..News Source.. by Maine News