Home » DotCom Articles » Bill Aims to Ban Sex Offenders from Social Networking Sites
Bill Aims to Ban Sex Offenders from Social Networking Sites
California is currently considering a bill that would prohibit certain sex offenders from accessing online social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace post release.
August 07, 2010 /DotCom PR News/ -- The California legislature is currently considering a bill that would prohibit certain sex offenders from accessing online social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace after their release.
The ban set forth in Assembly Bill 2208 would apply to all convicted California sex offenders released on parole or probation whose victims were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime, or who used the Internet in the commission of the crime.
The purpose of the legislation is to prevent child molesters from using these websites to target young victims. "Predators have left the playground and are now going to the Internet," said Harriet Salerno, president of the advocacy group Crime Victims United, which endorsed the bill.
Violation of the ban would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. Exceptions would be granted for legitimate work-related use of social networking sites.
Critics of the bill raise concerns about the logistical difficulties of enforcing the ban, especially when budgets are tight and supervising officers are already stretched thin. These critics argue that enforcement of the new ban would draw resources away from other, more effective methods of sex offender supervision.
Internet access is easily available from a growing number of sources, including home computers and cell phones as well as public computers in places like libraries and coffee shops. In theory, parole or probation officers would have to monitor all of these to ensure that offenders do not access prohibited sites.
Adding to the potential confusion is the huge number and variety of social networking sites available, and the fact that most of these sites do not require users to verify their identities. Shared computers complicate matters further.
The California Sex Offender Management Board echoed these concerns in an April report to Governor Schwarzenegger, stating that the ban "may be virtually impossible to enforce."
If you have questions about this ban and how it may impact you if passed, please speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area.
Article provided by Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong, APLC
Visit us at www.klacriminaldefense.com
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com |
|
|
Press Release Contact Information:
Findlaw PR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertise With Us |
About Us |
Contact Us