Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sex Offender Yard Signs Unconstitutional

kansascity.com : Kansas judge's order for sex-offender signs is overturned.

A state appeals court has overturned a judge's order that a Hudson man post signs around his house proclaiming that he is a sex offender. The three-judge panel ruled Friday that Stafford County District Judge Ron L. Svaty overstepped his authority last year by placing the requirement on 73-year-old Leroy Schad.

The ruling said public humiliation such as signs doesn't help rehabilitate sexual offenders.
The appeals court also instructed Svaty to reconsider the five years probation he imposed on Schad, noting that the sentencing guidelines called for three, and allow Schad to leave his house to buy groceries.