CA - Letter I wrote to Ca. Dept of Public Safety (From Anonymous)

I sent this to California Public Safety Committee today.

03/23/2011

Re: AB 625 (PDF)

Assemblyman Ammiano,

I have waited many years for someone to come forward to speak the truth about Sex Offender Registration. ALL cases are different and I can only speak about my experience of being registered.

I was convicted of PC 288 Lewd and Lascivious conduct with a child under 14. I never denied it and accepted responsibility. I had never done anything wrong in my life previous to that and 15 years later, much smarter and wiser, have led a crime free life.

After my conviction in 1997, and the loss of my job, home and some friends. (I didn’t go to prison just probation) I knew I needed to figure out why I made a very bad choice. After 5 years of court ordered group therapy plus individual therapy, which I did on my own, I felt I was ready to move on with my life. I was lucky my wife and family stayed with me. A new beginning and a second chance, so I thought. In 2004 the state went on-line with the registry and the worst hell anyone with a family could imagine. My kids were shunned by some school mates, my son was kicked out of his hockey club, my wife lost friends…again, I was banned by AYSO soccer. I was just a dad wanting to support his daughter I wasn’t a coach or some guy hanging out at the park. I couldn’t believe I was being punished again. I have to watch my daughter cry every time she has a game because she wants me to go. We have had our cars broken into 3 times our house robbed and a crazy woman walked right into my backyard and verbally accosted me. Screaming at me and threatening to make sure I’m “out of the neighborhood.” Very scary considering sex offenders have been killed in their homes and I have three kids at home. I don’t sleep at night. All of this 15 years AFTER my conviction.

It seems as though I am living a life just waiting for the next ball to drop and there is always something with this. Just today I saw that Orange County passed a law that no sex offenders are allowed in county parks or beaches. I also saw that Assemblyman Cook has introduced 884 (PDF) which would notify my neighbors 1000 feet in all directions. I see the signs and protesting in front of my house already. My god the slow banishment from society is a reality as a registered sex offender with no chance to prove yourself. I guess this is what has prompted me to write.

While I would agree that there are some sex offenders who pose a risk to society the majority do not. In fact according to research 95% of those on the list in California do not. I would just like to be able to have a roof over my families head and put food on the table. Live a stable life without fear of someone finding out I’m on “the list” and losing my job. Being able to walk out of my house without the fear of being jumped or beat up in front of my kids. These things are happening all over the country just Google it. I constantly fear that I will be eventually tossed out of my house and will be separated from my family. This is also happening. Didn’t the Nazi’s do this to the Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, and people with retardations or mentally ill?

I was once told by a county social worker that it will be my actions not my words that will show who I truly am. I believe I have earned a chance to be a productive member of society, however, it is nearly impossible to do that being on the registry.

I ask you, and my family asks you, to add in your legislation that sex offenders with families, who have been on the list for over 10 years and have led a crime free life, be given a chance to appeal their placement on the registry. Many good families will not survive if some action is not taken.

Thank you for your time,

(I would give my name but I don’t want to lose my job)

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