On October 1, 2009, The Supreme Court of Kentucky ruled that a law limiting where registered sex offenders can live cannot apply to those who committed offenses before July 12, 2006, the day the law was implemented. The law prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of playgrounds, daycare centers and schools, and changed how the distance is measured.The court, in a decision dated Oct. 1, said the law is punitive in nature and violates the ex post facto clause in the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from passing laws that increase punishment for old crimes.
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway tried to resist this ruling and continued to enforce the law retroactively (and illegally) while he petitioned the United States Supreme Court for further review. His petition was denied by SCOTUS on March 8, 2010.
Case Nos. 2006-SC-000347-CL
Kentucky Attorney General's Office (502)-696-5342
1024 Capitol Center Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
jason.moore@ag.ky.gov
