I have to say that my little corner of Alabama is really not that bad. The only time the cops have come to the house was right after the Sheriff's Office put up the Registry on facebook. And some people said we lived on some leased property that we have, instead of where we actually live. The Deputy that came out was also the preacher from the church across the street. He was very nice and apologized for bothering us,but he was following orders of the new Sheriff.

We do have lifetime registration every 90 days. Of course we can't live close to a school or daycare. And we can't loiter at a park. (We were told by the sheriffs office that we could take the dog to the park for walks, socialization and training. We haven't gone to the park because we didn't get it in writing. {yet}.)

I don't know anyone here on GPS monitoring. Maybe there are some in the big cities. I can't say what the rest of the state is like, but as long as you register like you are supposed to and don't break any laws, the law pretty much leaves you alone to live your life the best that you can.

Being able to live in a rural area makes all the difference on how the registry affects people. I have often emphasized to registrants and their families that getting away from anyone that can bother them is the best thing to do, if possible.

Since the registry does not seem to be changing for the better, then we have to find methods to mitigate its effects; we have to come up with methods ourselves to cope with it.

We have to take these steps ourselves, as nobody will ever feel sorry for us or help us. So we need to help ourselves.

In a rural area, there are no residency restrictions to contend with since there are no schools, daycare centers, or anywhere children congregate. In a rural area out of the city limits, a registrant is also immune to any pesky city ordinances a city might pass.

You will just be out there on a small parcel of land---hopefully land that you own---on your own property and for the most part people will leave you alone.

This is what I did. Upon my release from prison, I came back to my home town where I was convicted because I needed a place to stay and my parents were elderly and I wanted to be close to look after them. I moved into one of their rent houses just a couple of doors down the street from my parents.

Then a few years later, our county appointed an ex-detective as someone who oversees the registry. About that time Oklahoma passed the 2,000 foot restriction which prevents a registrant from living too close to a school.

My parents lived right across the street from an elementary school.

One day the sex offender supervisor advised me that since the new residency law was enacted, I would have to move.

I debated about what to do. I sent the Oklahoma ACLU a letter, asking if it was Constitutional to make these laws retroactive. They had expressed an interest in helping me.

Then one day I just came to the conclusion that today it would be residency restrictions and next month it would be something else and I did not like being hassled.

So here is what I did and it worked out great--------

I purchased eight acres of land close to a small community about 15 miles from my parents house. It does not have to be eight acres, it could just as well have been a couple of acres, but most people do not want to sell just two acres.

I then went to a mobile home dealership to look at one of the modern mobile homes. It was just me and the animals, so it did not have to be anything fancy. I found one that was well built---2" x 6" for the framing, thick plywood floors, well insulated, etc.

I was lucky in that they were just closing out that year's models to get ready for the next year. I bought a new mobile home, single wide, three bedroom, two bathroom, 18 x 80' mobile home for $34,000. It was new and it was well built.

It was the best move I ever made. I am away from anything that will get the state upset----no schools, no kids, no parks, no daycare centers. It was just me and my animals until my son moved in with me last summer.

I am off the registry now, but in eight years out there I never had a compliance check or the US Marshals at my door. Nobody bothered me because nobody cared.

The town I live in has only a bank, a General Dollar store, and a convenience store. If I need to buy groceries, I can drive to a neighboring town which is just 17 miles from my house.

Nobody has ever bothered me and they never will.

For the registrants and families that have the same problem, you can buy a used mobile home---still in good shape---very cheap. Buy it, move it onto the land and you are in as good a spot as you will ever be as far as the registry is concerned.

Living out here was like night and day from living in the city.

Just a thought,

rewdiazepam

I agree with you Rew. I live 17 miles from the closest town. I have 1 neighbor that I can see from the street in front of my house ( my land lord). The next closest neighbor is a mile away. There is a church across the highway ( and we have been invited to attend). We have lived here almost 20 years, so everyone in the community knows us.

But if you have young kids and the law forbids parks and schools life stinks.

It's not the residency that bothers me - although it's stupid and useless. It's the 'presence' restrictions that compromise my day to day life.

Virginia is not that great, particularly for anyone sentenced after 2006 and 2008. The State Police decided to enforce new laws retroactively when the state did not specify start dates (this may change based on some new developments).

We aren't an AWA state, so the online registry has a lot less information than MD or PA. However, the best part of the state to live is Northern Virginia, which isn't as psychotic as the rest of the state. At least I own the townhouse I live in, which is far better than renting.

On the other hand... I live in a city. And my son, who doesn't want to drive, nor can we afford to buy him a car, can walk anywhere to get anything he needs. We also have the train and buses that are 2 blocks from the house.

We first lived in the country in Floriduh and he was so isolated that he never left the house the whole year we waited for sentencing. He said it was a waste of his life and I agree.

At least now, he is finding friends and he is getting a social life. Something he would never have if he lived in the country.

Also the cops here have real crime to deal with, so he's not on their list. We live in Philly.

Here are the facts about Arizona: ( I have read EVERY word of every law in the Title 13 for AZ, and I had Lifetime probation in AZ for 11 years before deciding enough was enough, did 2 years in prison and I couldn't be happier, No longer on Paper.) :
1. Lifetime GPS monitoring is a probation RULE not a state law. I know the OP still has 3 years of Probation left, but once you are off paper here in AZ, you are not required to wear GPS.
2. ONLY Level 2 and Level 3 SO's get flyered and also put on the online DPS website.
3. ONLY Level 3 offenders have residency restrictions. (And on top of that the registrant must have been convicted with the "Dangerous Crimes Against Children" sentence enhancement)
4. Registration is for life, unfortunately .
5. Arizona is not a bad place for registrants that are OFF-PAPER.

Hope this helps. If anybody at all has any questions about AZ probation or laws let me know. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in both.

Every state has good and bad. It is funny how despite the toughness of FloriDUH laws, a number of people move there from surrounding states AND FARE BETTER, because Alabama and Louisiana are actually worse in some respects.

The California RSOL guide should be helpful to a point. However, the laws are so complex and can drastically change, and in some states, what you endure depends on your conviction date.

Also, many states have allowed municipalities or counties to make up their own rules that may be more stringent than what is listed in the state statutes.

Nak, I live just a few minutes outside of Baltimore and I also find that people seem to leave you alone in a more urban setting. You just kinda blend in with the crowd and the police have enough real crime to worry about.

love... I wish I could give you good news but unfortunately as many prior posters have stated the rules for every community are different and changeable. They vary by state and town. What I've seen as the best option if your able is to to buy your own place. The larger the the land the better (for your protection).

Being homeless is one step closer to jail in most states although it can be done but In the eyes of most community's a homeless RSOL is only looking for a target. That's what our media has brainwashed us to believe. Having family to live with is a help but there can be harassment.

My best advice is to try to find an out of the way place not near anything a child would want to hover around. Lay low and live your life quietly. I know it sucks but the alternative is publicity and publication. So far we cannot change that. Until money gets to the point of being a factor we are at the mercy of public opinion. It does seam to be changing as all the bogus statistics are not holding water with the intelligent folks and the number of folks affected by these laws increases. Pretty soon the number of folks involved on the registry will equal the number of folks with DUI and become diluted as a non-issue.

I [ray that day will come very soon!

Good luck!

PM me anytime should you have any questions.....