Written by loki
I would really like some advice. 11 years ago, i was convicted of using a communications device to solicit a minor between the ages of 15-18. I was arrested and held in jail under a no-bond condition. With no previous criminal history, other then a couple driving charges, I was looking at 5 to 20 years and I was fighting it until the day i was offered a plea deal i could not refuse.
I was told I would be able to go home and not be placed on the registry. Although I would be a felon, it felt as if I needed to take this deal and not gamble with my future. So I took the deal, and never looked back. I completed all of my post release conditions; never once violated anything; got married; started a family and a business.
My marriage and business prospered greatly; life was great. I received all of my civil rights back and everything was perfect. Fast-forward to November 2021… I came home to find a notice on my door from the post office. It stated that I had a certified letter from the state police department and I had no idea what it was. The next day, I went to the post office to retrieve the letter and to my surprise, due to a change in the legislature, my original plea deal was void. I was now required to register after 10 years of perfect citizenship my life was essentially ruined!
So, for 10 years I was safe enough to live wherever I want, go wherever I want, and do whatever I want, but all of a sudden, I am not? And I do know that I can petition to be removed in a certain amount of time, but the 10 years I spent rebuilding who I am and who I want to be, as a completely free man, do not count!!! How is this fair? How is this not punitive? I just honestly do not know what to do. This is not the America I loved while I was growing up. I look forward to a response. Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement!
Loki,
That doesnt sound right to me either, but in this day and time in America, they do shit like this. You could of course hire a lawyer and fight it, but to what end and at what cost. Life on the registry is demeaning, corrupt and unfair. But our leaders continue to heap new laws upon us every time they meet. And to what purpose? only to make sure that they get re-elected. Not knowing what state you are in, I really do not know what restrictions you would be under because each state is different. I do know that for me, moving out of the US has been a Godsend. I currently reside in Germany and I plan on traveling around the world and seeing whats out there. For someone with a family, it can be hard because you would have to basically start over unless you have funds saved. I would suggest that if you join Pateron (https://www.patreon.com/anewbeginning/posts) at the $9 a month or higher level, you will be able to attend our Sunday Zoom meetings at 4PM EST and there you can get info and ask questions live. I wish you the best on your journey and hope it gets better.
Michael
Loki – Have you had any luck fighting this ex post facto punishment? You signed a plea deal to not be on the registry. How can they put you on years after when your plea deal should be honored? I know, because the registry is supposedly not punishment. I am holding out for tow developments to hopefully abolish the registry, One is the Vigil on the steps of the Supreme Court in March of 2023 to overturn Smith vs Doe. You should read up on that. The second one is the ALI Model Penal Code. They approved changes to the law, meaning that if a registry has to exist, it should not be public, and only certain offenses should be registrable. It is a huge step in the right direction but has to be adopted by each State’s legislature. I keep researching to learn as much as possible. It is such a mess and nothing but punishment.