Lincoln Man Fears New Sex Offender Law Could Ruin His Life

1-14-2010 Nebraska:

The new Sex Offender Registration law that went into effect last week is creating debate across the state. And for one Lincoln man, he's worried the new law could potentially ruin his life.

The new Sex Offender Registration law that went into effect last week is creating debate across the state.

The new law requires all information be made public for every man and woman convicted of a sex crime.

That information is now available on a public website.

The law has only been in place for a week, and already many are up in arms over whether the law is fair, or even right.

Some feel the law is creating harsher punishments for those that don't deserve them.

And for one Lincoln man, he's worried the new law could potentially ruin his life.

The news came in a letter from the Sheriff's office.

"We are now changing your registration from a 10-year registrant to a 25-year registrant," says Jon Doe of Lincoln. We've concealed his real name and identity When he got the news in October, Jon was nearing the end of his time on the sex offender registry.

On top of learning of the extension, he also found out he would be put on the public sex offender registry. Something he'd never experienced.

Nearly 10 years ago, Jon had consensual sex with a Sophomore in high school, he was older than 19.

At the time, he was put on the registry but only visible to law enforcement. His "category 1" status, meaning the least risk to society, allowed him to carry out his life without the public knowing. Now that's all changed.

Doe says, "You open up your door and you're walking out into your driveway and you basically look around and you wonder if the neighbors are looking through their windows at you or if they've got their blinds shut now. It's just the unknown."

In the week since its inception, the registry is now also affecting his marriage, a relationship established after the crime. "We had our life planned out. All of sudden now our life is just completely changed."

Jon says he's involved in his church and his children's school functions. He's certain his kids will soon feel the effects as well. "I have a daughter and she'll be a grown woman by the time I get off this list now. That's not fair to her. She wasn't even born when this whole thing took place."

Now Jon Doe will continue to fear how the new law will affect him, his family and their lives far into the future.

We couldn't get the state Attorney General's office to comment on this case but they did say they'll continue to vigorously defend the laws that are designed to protect Nebraskans.

Jon Doe says he does agree with a sex offender registry, but believes only the violent offenders should be open to the public.

Right now, Jon and his attorney are attempting to file a temporary injunction in court to try and pull the website down until the law can be reviewed. ..Source.. Chad Silber