RM276: Challenging Connecticut: PFRs Fight for Online Privacy

In this episode of Registry Matters: In a recent Connecticut case, a federal judge ruled in favor of sex offender James Cornelio, stating that the state’s law mandating disclosure of online aliases and email addresses violated his First Amendment rights. Judge Jeffrey Meyer acknowledged that while the law didn’t outright ban speech, it inhibited Cornelio’s ability to communicate freely online, especially anonymously. Initially, the judge had dismissed the case, but the Second Circuit reversed, demanding evidence that the law effectively prevented or detected crimes. Upon reevaluation, Judge Meyer found the state’s failure to demonstrate the law’s effectiveness over its 15-year existence and granted Cornelio declaratory and injunctive relief. The Connecticut Attorney General’s office is reviewing the decision, facing challenges to overturn it, and navigating potential political implications for the upcoming 2024 election. This case underscores the tension between public safety and individual First Amendment rights in sex offender registration laws.

Also we covered:

[12:50] A long time patron asks for Larry’s opinion on the governor’s ability to limit constitutional rights during a state of emergency, including issues like housing troops and the right to trial by jury.

[19:49] Why someone in Wisconsin is still on GPS monitoring despite a Supreme Court ruling and clarified statutes regarding repeat habitual sex offenders.

[26:47] The case from Connecticut involves a law mandating disclosure of email addresses and online identifiers, which a federal judge ruled to have chilled the communication of PFRs (Potentially Frightening Recipients). The speaker notes that the other person was initially skeptical but acknowledges the judge’s decision in favor of the plaintiff.
https://www.courthousenews.com/connecticut-disclosure-rules-for-sex-offenders-unconstitutional/

[44:03] Louisiana Supreme Court, State vs. William Lee, and questions its relevance to PFRs (Persons Forced to Register

https://www.registrymatters.co/podcast/rm276-challenging-connecticut-pfrs-fight-for-online-privacy

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The Registry Matters Podcast’s mission is to cover issues surrounding the Registry. We cover cases that will peel back the veneer of what we need to do to change our lives for the better. We cover news articles that spark conversations about the total insanity of this modern day witch hunt. This podcast will call out bad policy and call out those that are making bad policy.

To change things for the positive, we need to act. We are 6-7-8-900k strong. With that many people, plus their friends and family, over a million people are affected by the registry. We should be able to secure donations to hire lawyers and lobbyists to move the agenda in our favor. We need our people to be represented.