Kids web sites asked to check NY sex offender list

While my comment should not be interpreted as supporting that RSOs should be allowed on kids Internet sites, it has to be said that the NY AG is now stalking the Internet to banish RSOs from it. The Internet's sole purpose is not for children but for society in general and there are places on the Internet that RSOs can navigate without constantly being accused of wrongdoing when there is none. Cumo's quest is out of line. Even the US Supreme court has ruled that folks in general, which includes RSOs, are allowed to speak anonymously on their political rights and under free speech rights as well, and that includes on the Internet.

2-2-2010 New York:

NEW YORK (AP) - State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo wants Web sites geared toward kids to do the same thing other social networking sites have done - check membership names against New York state's sex offender registry.

Cuomo on Tuesday called for Web sites like Webkinz and Club Penguin to add to their security measures already in place by also agreeing to check with the state list.

Major social networking sites including Facebook and MySpace have removed more than 4,300 registered sex offenders from their rolls after checking names against the registry.

New York's law requires sex offenders to register their e-mail accounts, screen names and any other Internet identifiers with the state.

There are just under 30,000 names on the state's sex offender list. ..Source.. WCAX.com

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Third Circuit finds 10-year Internet ban constitutional in child pornography case

8-4-2009 Delaware:

The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Monday upheld [opinion, PDF] a 20-year prison sentence and a 10-year Internet ban imposed on a man convicted of receiving child pornography. Paul Thielemann, who pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography challenged his prison as well as the conditions of his supervised release, which restrict him from viewing sexually explicit material or using the Internet for 10 years. The court rejected the challenge the prison sentence, finding that it fell within sentencing guidelines. The court also rejected the challenges to the conditions of the supervised release, finding no violation of Thielemann's constitutional rights. Addressing the restrictions on viewing sexually explicit material, the court wrote:

We hold that there is a significant nexus between restricting Thielemann from access to adult "sexually explicit" material and the goals of supervised release, and that the restriction here is not overbroad or vague considering the content of the instant record. As such, First Amendment implications are not involved.

The court also found that the 10-year Internet ban "shares a nexus to the goals of deterrence and protection of the public, and does not involve a greater deprivation of liberty than is necessary in this case."

In January, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that Congress acted beyond its authority when it enacted a law that allows indefinite federal civil commitment of "sexually dangerous" offenders beyond the end of their sentences. The Fourth Circuit was the first circuit court to rule on the constitutionality of 18 USC § 4248 [text]. Last August, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that computer and PO box use restrictions placed on those convicted of child pornography offenses are reasonable as long as they are reasonably connected to their conviction and are construed narrowly enough to allow legitimate computer and mail use. ..Source.. by Jaclyn Belczyk

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