Concerned reader opposes sex offender sign

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The lack of knowledge with regard to the ‘sex offender’ issue is not to be believed. The nation needs to take a hard look at the unconstitutional impingement of the rights of these persons. There is a slow awakening as to problems associated with those so labeled/ostracized and shamed and put out to ever more public ridicule.

My grandson is a Romeo and Juliet case in another state, 18 and had consensual, protected sex with a young woman who admitted such in her statement to the police. It matters not. He faced 25 years to life. It is a ‘strict liability’ state. He plea-bargained to two counts of indecent liberties with a minor, he must register every month (and if he misses his day he can be charged with another felony) for many years. A normal teen, a young man is now on the registry. His life is forever changed. 

At some point, there has to be an awakening of those who have the power to review the registries. All registrants are not deviant. Some of them are on there for ‘urinating in public’. As with anything else, all labeled offenders are not equal and they should not be tainted with this broad brush. Jessica’s Law was meant for those heinous people who are truly sex offenders, who truly prey on others to the point of committing horrific acts. 

Please Gonzales City Council, as a grandmother who has cried many tears since this unexpected event happened in our family, please I beg you, reconsider placing signs in the yards of these families. Some of these families do not deserve this kind of public humiliation and treatment.

Thank you for listening. 

Carolyn Feenstra

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