Beginning May 5, 2011, registered sex offenders will no longer be allowed in some Orange County beaches, parks, and harbors without prior approval from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the ordinance and violators could face up to six months in jail or a $500 fine. The restrictions apply to county recreational areas frequented by children including the Orange County Zoo, beaches, and Newport Harbor. Erin Runnion, whose 5-year-old daughter, Samantha, was kidnapped and killed in 2002, urged the county supervisors to approve the ordinance.
Persons convicted of certain sex crimes in California are required to register as sex offenders pursuant to Penal Code Section 290. This new law is certain to affect the lives of literally thousands of registered sex offenders who live in the Orange County area—let alone any offenders who might visit the County. It is common for new laws like this to be copied by surrounding counties such as Riverside County, whose District Attorney’s office is renowned for its vigorous prosecution and punishment of sex crimes. If you or a loved one is a registered sex offender in Riverside County this new Orange County law could very well be a harbinger of things to come.
If you or a loved one is a registered sex offender, it is important that you contact an experienced sex crimes attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in handling all types of sex crimes. Our attorneys are highly knowledgeable in sex crimes law. We will aggressively fight to defend your rights and get you the best possible result in your case. Call us today at (877) 466-5245 or contact us on our website at www.wksexcrimes.com. We will be there when you call.