Families of SOs Community Group

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It's all in my head i know

kreator
kreator
Hi everyone, I'm new here but a long time lurker. I could use some advice if anyone has any to share. i own a nice house in a place were nobody bothers me or even knows who i am but I'm far from home and very lonely and i don't like the city or state that I'm in because i just don't fit in here at all and there is not much to do here or places to go to meet people. I am a recluse and i don't think i can handle it any more. i just got a new puppy which i love and helps with the loneliness some but i could use some human interaction which i don't think will ever happen. So i was wondering if i was to move to Maryland if i would have to register at all as i was convicted in Ca. in 1994. I'm good looking with a good personality and i have plenty of money but I've lost all confidence and have basically put myself in a sort of exile which i hate. I lived in Mexico for a short time but i was talked into coming back to the states which has turned out to be a mistake because i don't feel free at all. I've thought about moving to some other country but i don't know were i could go. If i wouldn't have to register in Maryland maybe i could meet some people without feeling like I'm a leper. I have no friends and almost no family so i could really go anywhere i want, but i just don't know what to do. I tried some counseling a while back but was basically told to just try to find some things that i enjoy doing and that I'm doing a life sentence because of my crimes and society and that i would just have to accept my fate. I was told that i have severe PTSD and depression but i stopped all my medications about six months ago because they weren't helping at all. I've been on one med after another for years and just got tired of them and i don't feel much different now, just a little more clear headed and ready to try something different i think. Thanks for listening.
Suchaslife
Suchaslife
Just wanted to say hi and welcome....sorry iam not much help when comes to moving just thought I would say hi!
kreator
kreator
Hi, thanks very much for the welcome:)
FreeToBreathe
FreeToBreathe
Hello Kreator!

I don't know what state are you're in now but if as you state you have money then you could choose almost anywhere you want to go to why did you choose Marland? You don't mention any family... Is that why you chose Maryland? Moving state to state pretty much throws you into AWA federal laws where you could be increasing your fate depending on the state and charge. I don't know any any state that just by moving there would drop you from registration. AWA saw to that. Even if in the state you are in were to be remove you from the registry there is no guarantee the state you move to would not require you to re-register. Not knowing anything more about your situation I cannot say.

I personally hate cities. I feel so crowded there but if money is not a problem you can find places that are more tolerant of registered citizens and you could find yourself in a "Free-er" environment. There are certainly many places you do not want to end up in.

If you prefer not to air publicly feel free to PM me and I'll try to help you if I can. I don't know everything but I know I'm pretty happy where I am.

Good luck!
ThoughtAsWeak
ThoughtAsWeak
Someone please correct me if I am wrong...but reading that your charge was in CA, AWA will require you to register according to CA laws - meaning unless CA changes it's registry requirements, you will have to register for life.

However, many registrants are still able to live a life (even on the registry). We are here for you to support you. You are not alone.

Welcome!
kreator
kreator
The state I'm in now i have twelve more years on the their registry. I checked and i am only subject to new states statutes. Maryland just had a ruling that might apply to me also if i moved there?
frogpond1
frogpond1
Most countries will not allow you to move there as someone with any sex felonies or on the registry even after getting off.
klw9653
klw9653
You're talking about the ruling in MD's highest court argued by Nancy Forster stating that those whose offenses were before 1995 should not have to register since MD did not have a registry before then. I don't know if it will apply to those moving from out of state. There's been talk in the local news here of the state possibly removing up to 1800 names on the list. I'm glad for all those that will be affected by this. too bad my son won't be. Do be aware that if MD says you still have to register, that this is an AWA state, however, at least there's no residency restrictions or annual registry fees here.
thumperjoe
thumperjoe
My question might be that: If you have enough money, why don't you fight existing outrageous laws?
kreator
kreator
This is what I'm trying to find out without having to ask or pay an attorney if i don't have to. The ruling says anyone before 95 should not have to register. It seems clear but I'd like some clarification if possible.
Also, to fight something in court you have to have something new or novel and be willing to have your whole past brought up with probable heavy media scrutiny, plus a lot of money and lawyers willing to fight. I don't have that kind of money and i definitely don't want the limelight as I've done well to try to stay incognito so far which makes life much less scarey given the circumstances. If i had to fight something i would but right now things for me are not so bad except for the mental stuff like i mentioned.
thumperjoe
thumperjoe
You have additional resources. If you have no repeat offenses then you can apply for a Gov. Pardon from the state that convicted you. As unfortunate as it is to say this...Write a local congressperson first to make an appointmentt. Go present them with your request and offer to support their next campaign. It could be cheaper than a lawyer and at the same time provide some possible interest low-key in our cause.
Before I considered moving I would request from my Parole office that since I am a non-repeat offender that they consider dropping your parole altogether. 15 years in some state and you can beg off it.
I'd get something done before I relocated thought.
Good luck
klw9653
klw9653
I think right now it will depend on how narrow the state interprets the ruling. I don't even think they started yet to remove any names since the ruling just came out. Sorry I can't give you any more info than that.

Btw, if you do end up moving to MD, you may want to join FAIR (Families Advocating Intelligent Registries). It's the state affiliate of RSOL (Reform Sex Offender Laws).
Dixon73
Dixon73
What ThoughtAsWeak said.... California has had a registry since 1947, life only. Did you mean 1994 in Ca. (California) or possibly Ga. (Georgia)?

When moving from state to state it is my understanding the registration period for a comparable offense in the new state applies, OR the registration period from the old state - whichever one is greater (of course). So I was under the impression everyone from California would be a lifer regardless of a new state, regardless of the offense. Which is why I am intrigued by your contention that you will be off (at least in your current state) after 25 years. Would love some more information on that.

Regarding the recent decision in MD, the way I understand it only applies if the person was either convicted (in MD? or another state that did not have a registry at that time?) BEFORE the registry even existed (existed in California since 1947) or that person had their registration period increased post conviction (always lifetime in California, so there is nothing to increase) - so none of those would help someone from California with a conviction, going back to the Truman Administration (I would not be surprised if some are still some around... oldest profile I saw said 'Date of latest Conviction - 1954').

Please report back if you find out more about this.
kreator
kreator
This stuff is so confusing even an attorney would have to research this stuff at a high cost I'm sure. All i know is that when i moved to the state I'm in which i am now a resident of i was placed on a twenty year registration. The crimes i was convicted of in Ca. are a twenty year registration here. Maybe there is certain language in the statute in Maryland about moving there but i believe that if i was to just visit Maryland right now i wouldn't have to register because of the recent ruling. It seems that Maryland officials are trying to figure the ruling out also as it is confusing, so maybe some attorney out there can weigh in if possible.
(ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Sex offenders in Maryland can’t be forced to register in the state’s sex offender registry if they committed their crimes before the database was created in 1995.
The Daily Record reported Tuesday that the Maryland Court of Appeals noted that is the case even though there are “federal obligations” to register them.
The state’s highest court said the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act includes exemptions for registrations that would be contrary to state law.
Last year, the court found that retroactive application of the state’s registry rules violated the state constitution.)
IvyDog
IvyDog
The MN registry is non public if you're not tier 3.

I think there may be other states like that?

And I think they only have to go in person the first time then renew via paper. (Could be wrong about this)

I'm thinking about moving too. I'm off my states registry but would be forced to register in many states.

The state to state laws are very confusing. At times I'm not even sure I'd trust a lawyer since interpretations vary so much.
kreator
kreator
Thanks IvyDog, maybe at some point after they figure out their own ruling I'll call the Maryland dept. of public safety and ask them if i was just visiting if i would have to register and see what they say.