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Federal SORNA imposes independent registration obligations on Plaintiff irrespective of state law
Willman v. United States Attorney General, No. 19- cv–10360 (6th Cir. 2020)
Nature of Case: Plaintiff brought a § 1983 civil rights lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of federal SORNA on various grounds, including Ex Post Facto, Double Jeopardy, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, First Amendment, Privileges and Immunities, Overbreadth, Vagueness, and Fourth Amendment. Federal defendants sought dismissal. Federal district court dismissed Plaintiff’s complaint, finding that all of the arguments advanced in the complaint were either foreclosed by precedent or did not have merit, and found that federal SORNA imposed independent registration obligations on Plaintiff notwithstanding the fact that he was convicted of a state offense. Plaintiff appealed.
Holding: 6th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed, holding that federal SORNA imposes independent registration obligations on Plaintiff irrespective of state law, and variously dismissed the Plaintiff’s constitutional challenges against federal SORNA.
Take Action to comment on revision of Part 72 of SORNA Onerous Burdens of Sex Offender Registration Are Not Punishment, the 10th Circuit Rules.
In this trying time we want to reiterate a few things for our registrants and families. We don't want there to be any confusion or penalties concerning registry requirements during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Make sure you know current requirements. You can go to your Sheriff's Office website to see if there is new information there. If so, we suggest you do a screen print and save it. Call your registry office to get clarification on any questions you might have. Document the date, time, who you spoke with and their instructions regarding any address change, vehicle, employment, travel dates if required, etc.
Keep in mind if you are required to update your drivers license annually through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) you should contact them for their status. Some are limiting the number of people allowed inside and you have to wait to receive a call from them and then come back inside. Document any instructions.
Be safe, be smart, stay healthy and know we will get through this.All information is confidential and we do not distribute any data whatsoever.
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