WY - Wyoming bill would release sex offender names following their arrest

Original Article

01/22/2013

By SHANNON WEBSTER

Should someone's name be released instantly following a charge of sexual assault? Lawmakers in Wyoming believe so. On Monday, a bill was moved to the Wyoming State House floor by a 5-4 vote which would require the release of individuals charged with sexual assault, even if those charges are later dropped before going to trial.
- What about all those who are falsely accused of sexual abuse by someone? So much for innocent until proven guilty in a court of law! Does this also include politicians who are accused of a sex crime or any other crime? We doubt it!

Currently, all charges are public record the instant they are filed within Wyoming, except for sexual assault. The names of those accused of sexual assault are not released until a court date is set, often weeks or months after the initial arrest.

Reasons for the change include providing information to the public, ending special treatment of sexual assault defendants, and protecting the public safety.

Opponents point to a number of charges of sexual assault that are false or later dropped before reaching the courts. Those accused of a sexual crime are stigmatized by society, even after being cleared of all wrongdoing.

While the two sides duke it out in the court of public opinion, the bill is likely to have a full House vote before the end of the month.

WY - Committee defeats banning sex offenders near child care sites

Original Article

01/15/2013

By Ben Neary

CHEYENNE - A Wyoming legislative committee on Monday defeated a bill that would have banned sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of child care facilities.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 7-2 against the bill sponsored by Rep. John Eklund, R-Cheyenne.

"The intention of this bill is to have the same protection for under school aged children that we do for school children," Eklund said. He said there have been instances were sex offenders have moved in next to established day care facilities.

Steve Corsi, director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services, said his agency didn't see any weaknesses with the bill.

However, Linda Burt, director of the ACLU in Wyoming, said that putting the bill's proposed restrictions together with existing restrictions on sex offenders living near schools would drastically restrict where offenders could live in many communities.

Burt said offenders could find themselves segregated into low-income areas, or possibly left permitted to live only in more affluent areas where they couldn't afford to stay.

Burt also said she regarded the bill as unnecessary, saying that statistically people who work at child care centers are more likely to abuse children in their care than others who happen to live in the neighborhood.

Joe Baron, prosecuting attorney in Crook County and spokesman for the state prosecutors association, said the bill didn't go far enough. "It doesn't say you can't be within 1,000 feet," he said. "It doesn't say you can't be in the building."

Rep. Stephen Watt, R-Rock Springs, spoke against the bill. A former police officer, he has a problem with the state imposing continuing punishment on sex offenders after they've served their prison time.
- I find it shocking that a former police officer would say this, but it's about time they spoke up for the draconian laws.