Avoid the bible belt areas. Look at the laws for the areas you want to move to also look outside of town areas you might be able to get a place on a bit of land outside of the town zone that might make things a little bit easier to find a place.

SuchasLife is correct. Avoid the Bible Belt states at all costs. The people in those states are very tough on crime and many are radical Christians, both of which make their state unfriendly to sex offenders.

The legislators in the Bible Belt states make a career of passing and enacting more and more sex offender legislation each year. The big problem is that since the sex offender registry is civil in nature---and not considered punitive by any of the courts-----any law they pass can be applied retroactively.

For example, let’s say he was released in prison to Virginia. He might find another state which is much more favorable to sex offenders than Virginia. But once he moves to that state, they continue to pass more and more restrictive laws. Since most of these laws will be retroactive, they will apply to him. The net result is that year after year a registrant has to sweat blood and hope the lawmakers do not pass another ridiculous law that will affect them, even though they were convicted prior to the new law.

I don’t think Utah is too bad and Nebraska is better than most. Stay away from Kansas or Missouri. Missouri at the present time is running neck and neck with Florida to see which state can abuse future sex offenders the best. Tennessee and Arkansas are awful for sex offenders.

You have to find a state that has the proper mindset toward sex offenders.

The Bible Belt is out for sure. Add to that the states of Arizona and California. A few of the states in the Midwest such as Illinois and Iowa are also unfavorable to sex offenders. Wisconsin is terrible.

Your best bet is either in the northwestern part of the country or one of the New England states. Oregon is pretty good, as is Pennsylvania.

Below are several links that will help you compare each state’s registration rules-----

http://tinyurl.com/l6myklf

tinyurl.com/mu2olfs

tinyurl.com/gqnjjpj

tinyurl.com/ydcn3q7

When you find a state that he would like, you need to move there at least six months prior to his released. He can then use Interstate Compact to transfer his probation to that state. He has to have a family in that state to be released directly to the state you move to, as that is one of the provisions of Interstate Compact.

http://tinyurl.com/co9cn3q

Do your research and do not hesitate to contact me if there is something you do not quite understand.

Rewdiazepam

PS I think we have spoken to each other several years ago.

If you have a problem with any of these links, let me know so I can correct them.

Yes, we have spoken before Rewdiazepam. I recognized your name right away.

The more research I do on other states, the more alike all the rules seem the same. Like what's the point of even moving to another state? And often times, the ruling says that the new state will abide by the old state's jurisdiction...

There are so many other factors as well. Yes, I had begun to investigate the interstate compact and knew some the answers in your post. We are definitely in the Bible Belt now, but at least my family is known, know what happened, and that my son made a mistake, but he was a good kid. In a new state, new area, he will be the dreaded new "sex offender? in the neighborhood and will be shunned, as we will be as well.

Thanks for your reply.

We would really like to move to Florida, as we are already Florida residents. How do I find what programs or classes that each state would require him to attend when he gets released? In Virginia he would have to attend one class per week for 2 years at $60.00 per class. OMG. I can't find that information. I just don't know where to turn.

Buddysmine,

I have to warn you that Florida is the worst state for sex offenders and it isn’t even close. The lawmakers are nuts down there, they have state residency restrictions, city residency restrictions, and each municipality has their own set of rules. Once he is on the registry in Florida, he will never get off, even if he moves. They did not used to take a registrant off even when he died, but that may have changed.

They are crazy down there. I am here to tell you.

They have such little regard for sex offenders that they forced a bunch of them to live under a bridge since they could not find a place to live because of the residency restrictions. Like under the bridge, no plumbing, no running water, no electricity, no sewage system. Most lived in a tent or a make shift shack. They are crazy down there.

Under state law, there are two separate designations for those convicted of crimes mandating sex offender registration: sexual predators and sexual offenders. I don’t know how your son will be classified, but I hope it is not a predator. Now I KNOW he is not a predator, as we have spoken before, but Florida may classify him as one. I don’t think so, but I am not sure.

State and local law impose restrictions on where certain convicted sex offenders may live after serving their sentence. Florida state law prohibits those convicted of certain sex crimes against a child under 16 years of age from living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care center, playground, park or other place frequented by children.

Some county and municipal ordinances impose even more restrictive residency requirements. For example, in Miami-Dade County, certain registered sex offenders are prohibited from living within 2,500 feet of a school, day care center, park or playground. The county also recently added "child safety zones" to its ordinance, which prohibits sex offenders from loitering within the 300 feet extending from schools, day cares, parks and school bus stops.

The Miami-Dade ordinance has received national attention for effectively forcing sex offenders into homelessness with over 70 offenders living underneath the Julia Tuttle Causeway Bridge. Currently, there more than 160 municipalities in Florida that impose greater residency restrictions on convicted sex offenders than required by state law.

State law also places restrictions on where certain registered sex offenders may work. In cases where the victim was a minor, sex offenders cannot volunteer or work at any business, school, day care, park, playground or other place where children regularly are present.

Here is a link to a site that will help you with the registry requirements----

http://tinyurl.com/qxb2zve

But if he decides to move to Florida, the first thing I would suggest would be to find a place to live away from everyone else. Maybe a couple of miles out of town in a rural area. If you don’t, he may have a lot of trouble with the nut case citizens down there and the residency restrictions. I realize that you are not “nut case citizens” but a lot of them are down there and they hate sex offenders.

If he has some probation time to serve after his release from prison, since probation is still considered part of his court mandated sentence, some of the programs he is required to take should be on his J&S-----Judgement and Sentencing Document-----also called “sentencing papers.” If you do not have a copy, go to the Court Clerk of the county from which he was convicted and request a copy. Just tell them you would like a copy of your son’s Judgment and Sentencing Documents. It may cost you a nominal fee, but it won’t be much.

The problem is that he was sentenced in Virgina. Is that correct?? So if he moves to Florida, I don’t know for sure what Florida will want him to take. I am just not sure how Florida will handle a registrant moving from Virginia.

Regardless of what state you are in, each state will have a standard list of probation rules, which will be enforced by the PO. I want you to remember that the PO does NOT make the rules. The PO only carries out the orders of the court in regard to your son’s sentence, but the PO has a LOT of leeway.

Here is a link to the Florida probation rules-----

https://tinyurl.com/mal6etp

Buddysmine, these are the basic sex offender probation rules as handed down by the state. The sentencing judge may have added or omitted some of these rules for your son as probation is usually modified or tailored to each individual offender, as they may have different needs. But the probation rules will give you a general idea of what Florida requires.

Of course, if he has any court costs or fines from his conviction, payment for them will be included.

Here is a link to a document explaining in detail the Florida sex offender registry requirements. On page 40, is a sample registration form your son will fill out when he registers in Florida.

Buddysmine, you can do this. It seems complicated and it is but only because there is no way of knowing how Florida will handle your son’s requirements from Virginia.

I will check back a couple of times every day. If you have questions, message me or post your question on the board.

Good luck,

rewdiazepam

I forgot the link to the 327 page document which had the sample Florida Sex Offender Registration form on page 40. Here is the link----

https://tinyurl.com/lz97zwm

If you get confused or get over your head with all this, just jot down the questions and send them to me in a message or on the board.

rewdiazepam

Thank you.. I sent you a private message.

What about Alaska? Anyone know anything about Alaska?

Hi I am new to ds and live in mass. The so register is not to bad hear but it could be better.

Do not, i repeat, DO NOT move to Florida. I had a he said she said case that happened at a dorm party while I was in the military. After serving my time in military prison I came home to Florida. Big mistake. They will do anything to put offenders back in jail. The girl that cried rape on me because her boyfriend walked in on us was 20 at the time and it was a very hard case to prove. In the end I was made "an example" of and given an extremely light sentence. I wasnt out less than 2 years, weeks away from completing parole and the Sherriff Dept lied on me and hit me with a failure to register and gave me more time than my original sentence. Stay away from Florida. I'm.doing research now as well to move myself, wife and kids to somewhere more friendly. Good luck

Thank you Dodge83. Although hubby and I would like to move to Florida, we will not because of our son's status. We will try to sell our home and move to a different location within the same state...Virginia.

If you want to transfer your probation from Florida to another state, you will most likely need to use Interstate Compact---

http://tinyurl.com/yd53grrk

Interstate Compact is basically an agreement between states that allow offenders on probation or parole to transfer that probation or parole to another state. There are several basic rules and a lot of information, so I would start by reading the links on their site. You should also find some information about the probation conditions you will face when you move, but much of that is handled on a state-by-state basis and may vary from state to state.

Look their site over and read up on their procedure. Then if you have problems, message me.

rewdiazepam

I hope im not to late in a reply but my husband lives in ohio and its not to bad and i hear Florida is horrible for sex offenders.

Ohio is not bad at all. Florida is to sex offender registrants what Kryptonite is to Superman---TOXIC.

rewdiazepam

Hi. I normally don't post online much but was looking for best states to love in as an SO and felt compelled to add my experiences.

I am from KS and spent my time in prison there. About 3 months before getting out, my wife got a job offer in Omaha Nebraska. Despite the short notice, my interstate compact was approved.

We didn't know for sure if it would be better or worse in NE over KS, but overall it sounded better. In prison I was told by the teacher of the SO class what KS was like. I didn't experience this but was told that we would have to attended class weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on what the PO decided and it costs around $25 each class. Supposedly you have to make safety plans with the group to go places like church. You are allowed to be on the internet, but not Facebook or any social media. They will supposedly search your devices regularly and may tap your internet. There is most likely a cerfew and I do believe residency is 1000' from schools. You register every 90 days. And it costs around 25. Parol fees are like 25 a month. I beleive you are required to tell potential employers you are an SO. Also the class makes you take polygraphs a few times a year. Iastly, even though i did not victimize a child, I was not going to be able to see or call or write my children nor have contact with any of my friends children until class and PO allowed it which was usually around a year.

Here is what I know from experience in Omaha NE. You have to attend a support group session once a month that costs nothing. You see your PO once a week till you have a job and then it is once a month. Maybe less later.
Fees are 25 a month. You register based on your crime between once a year to every 90 days and costs nothing. Residency is 500 from park or school which is about one block. The PO can choose to forgo the park requirement. Most times you have no curfew and the PO asked that you inform him if you are leaving the county, but permission is not needed. Just a text. You are not required to tell a potential employer you are an SO or even on parole. I was encouraged not to unless they asked. The worst part is that for the first 6 months you have to wear a GPS that costs 100 a month, but if you are doing right, they remove it around 6 months. As far as schools, parks, and other kid friendly areas, you just need to have a reason to be there. All internet except porn and chat rooms is allowed. So Facebook is allowed. They reserve the right to search your devices but in 6mo they haven't. I dont beleive they poly at all,
but if they do it is only special curcumstances. Lastly and most important to me, I can contact and see my children or anyone elses at anytime. If I am with them, another adult must be present is all. No permission is required. To be allowed to see them alone or stay in the same house, I have to get permission from the parole board and they prefer, but don't require, you to have individual counseling to alliviate some of their responsibility. 6mo to a year on that process but at least I can still see my children.

In the group I have to go to, 2 guys talked about thier states of Colorado and Iowa. I don't know much but was told this.
In Colorado, he was required to live with another SO for a year out of prizon. They had to go everywhere together. Even after that year, he was required to attend classes weekly and had to make a safety plan to go ANYwhere and if you did not have the plan on you if you were out, you got violated. Also you had to call in DAILY with you itinerary for that day. He also said you can have nothing with any internet capabilities like a smart phone or even his Wii.

In Iowa the guy said alot was the same as NE, but he hat a 9pm curfew and had to poly every 6mo.

Overall the community in Omaha, NE is friendly. I have heard from some offenders about small problems they have had, but I have had none. I have even found many supportive people to my situation. Work and housing can be a struggle to find, but it isn't personal but more about business. In the end if you keep looking you will find both.

I have found alot of support and opportunity here and found the system to be fairly tolerant compared to other places I have heard about. If you do what you are supposed to they pretty much leave you alone.

If you are off parole, only the registration requirements need be met. I think the 500 from a school still applies, but that may be dropped as well. Registration is so easy. First time they get all the info, so maybe an hour, but then you walk in, give name to officer and if nothing has changed, you tell them that and are done.

Good Luck!