New California Law Helps Sex Offenders Return to Their Homes (PC 3003)

Passed in 2006, Jessica’s Law prohibits any registered sex offender – regardless of whether their particular crime involved children – from living within 2,000 feet from schools, parks or any location where children gather. Due to the amount of schools and parks in California, this law essentially prevents sex offenders from living in any urban and suburban areas of the state. As a result, many registered sex offenders have been forced to live in rural and remote communities.

California recently passed Senate Bill 1199 into law, which aims to correct the problem of forcing sex offenders into specific communities by requiring law enforcement to return parolees to their last home city following their release from incarceration.

“Return to County” Versus “Return to City”

Previously, the law required that inmates released on parole or post-release community supervision be returned to the county of their last legal residence. That meant that a sex offender who lived in Los Angeles County could be dumped anywhere in that county as long as it was not within 2,000 feet of a park or school. This often meant inmates were placed in communities in which they had no personal connection, and most importantly, no ties to a support system that would assist their rehabilitation.

Under SB 1199, which amended PC 3003, an inmate who is released on parole or post-release community supervision who was committed to prison for a registerable sex offense must now be returned to:

• The city of their last legal residence or
• A close geographic location in which he or she has family, social or  economic ties and access to reentry services

There are two exceptions to this rule where sex offenders could be placed in another community:

• If return to that location would violate any other law or pose a risk to the victim, and
• If it is not possible because it does not best serve the public’s interests

Essentially what this law does is allow registered sex offenders to enter the community that is most likely to support them during their rehabilitation, which could lower the chance of that person committing another similar crime.

Contact the Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today

The passing of SB 1199 should be helpful to sex offenders released from custody, but there are many more difficulties you face if you are required to register as sex offender. That is why you should speak to an experienced sex crimes attorney who can tell you if you are eligible for relief from sex offender registration.

Our skilled sex crimes lawyers at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully helping clients obtain post-conviction relief for more than 35 years. Let us help you now.

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, Los Angeles and San Diego, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich sex crimes attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.

Contact our offices today at (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.