New Nebraska Sex Offender Law Creating Controversy

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Updated: 8:11 AM Jan 11, 2010 New Nebraska Sex Offender Law Creating Controversy Lincoln Effective this week, all sex offender information, no matter the magnitude of the crime, is now public information on a state website. Posted: 9:07 PM Jan 7, 2010 Reporter: Chad Silber Email Address: chad.silber@1011now.com

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Effective this week, all sex offender information, no matter the magnitude of the crime, is now public information on a state website.

The state law expanding the Sex Offender Registry was passed last year and went into effect on Monday.

Now, every sex offender in the state, no matter the severity of their crime, is listed, picture and all, on a public website.

But the new law is creating controversy in the courts.

There was supposed to be a big decision made in a Lancaster County courtroom Thursday, but that didn't happen.

Lincoln Attorney James Beckmann says, "We got notice that they had filed with federal court removing this action to federal court or at least trying to."

On behalf of his clients, Beckmann was going to request a preliminary injunction over the sex offender registry law that took effect Monday.

The new law requires the public posting of all registered sex offenders. Their previous classification or risk levels will no longer be used.

Beckmann argues his clients are being lumped together with dangerous sex offenders.

Beckmann says, "The people that are on your PTA and you sit next to in church, they'd be up on the website with the people that are truly dangerous."

That differs from previous laws regarding the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. "Everybody got a chance to be heard on where they should be classified and whether or not they should be up on the website. Now that really has changed."

The State Attorney Generals office says they requested to move the case to the federal level because of numerous, similar cases and hope they can all be decided once, without wasting time and resources.

But Beckmann says these cases are not designed for federal court. "Because these are different questions, different plaintiffs and it involves the state law, I hope we get back down here and get to have it heard in state court."

Meantime, Beckmann says he'll fight for his clients' day in court, while state prosecutors say they'll fight to defend law designed to protect Nebraskans.

Latest Comments

Posted by: C Brown Location: Oregon on Jan 4, 2012 at 03:01 AM

My husband is an offender, 16 years ago he made a lot of mistakes. There's a lot of history but nothing that people in Nebraska care to hear. The laws in Nebraska are out of control. Whatever happened to forgiveness. For those offenders out there that did their time and lead law abiding lives I have nothing but the deepest sympathy for the burdens you carry. There was a time when men and women were forgiven and allowed to live a new life but Nebraskans and the world over have run crazy with the law. I believe and always will believe that it's the parents responsibility to protect their children. It's not always that dark, scary stranger that grabs our children but the fact is we as parents bring those sick people into our homes. We turn our eyes away, our minds busy with work and personal agendas, and allow our own families to rape and molest our children. Our Government can't protect them, WE have too. Our state government official are running around trying to help by creating all these laws, NO ONE, NO Law can protect our children. Only We, the parents, can do these. Stop making up more laws and punishing people that did their time and focus more on what you bring into your own homes. I am a survivor myself and I know only to well the facts of my own life and I can only say stop all the craziness. Take care of yourself and your children. Forgive those who are trying to move on with their lives, punish the ones that can't or won't stop the sickness.

Posted by: Chris Location: Texas on Mar 19, 2010 at 05:35 PM

I'm torn on this issue. I personally feel that my former step-father should be on this listing, but as he was convicted before 1997 he is not listed. Do I have any doubt at all that he has and will continue to abuse children? No. He's a sick individual. I truly believe that he'll continue as long as he can get away with it.

Posted by: Wife of "Sex Offender" on Mar 11, 2010 at 02:16 PM

You know what to all those saying "keep it in your pants" how many of you had sex before marriage? How many of you had sex at or before 18? A couple who are both young and its consensual can STILL get convicted of a sex offense BY THE STATE ITSELF. You don't even have to be reported by the consensual person or the family. It coudl be a neighbor or anyone else if they know about your personal life. The offenses that SHOULD be on the list are the violent aggrivated offenses. I feel that a couple that end up having sex that are engaged shouldn't be able to result in a sex offense. Just my opinion. My husband had a baby with his fiance and her parents got mad that he wouldn't let her give the baby up for abortion or adoption. Now how many of you would have freaked out if my husband, instead of fighting for his child's life, decided to let them abort him. Think about the fact that not everyone on there is a sick rapist. I had sex young and before marriage. I bet a lot of others did too.

Posted by: moses Location: craig on Mar 2, 2010 at 12:14 AM

I would like to see all sorts of things on a regsitry.Bad check writers should be on a registry so an honest person can see if the guy asking you to take a check is a bad risk.How about a wife beaters registry so these guys can beat a new woman in every town? I would like to see more responsibility fall on the folks who ruin things for everybody so more people who behave could have more privledges, and people who don't could haave less opportunity to mis behave over and over and over.

Posted by: a mother Location: California on Feb 16, 2010 at 03:45 AM

As a mother, I would like to know if there are potental dangers in the area we live. I understand that some people take it to the extream, but like the saying goes... If you do not want people to know what you did then do not do it. Posting sex offender is a great start,but Teaching people that two wrong do not make a right should be the next step

Posted by: Wilma Location: Grand Island on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:21 AM

To be honest with you I think the state is being prejudice. When you single out a single crime to place as Joann said "Scarlet Letter" on a human being after they have served time in prison is very prejudicial. Then everyone who has committed a crime, dwi, dui, speeding ticket, robbery, murder, forgery, etc.. Should all receive the same sentence. It was always my understand in this country when you have done the time it was done! Now they are saying NOPE you should continue to pay for your mistakes. Even those that are classified as unlikely to reoffend. But not only is the punishment extended out to them but their family members, the kids get harassed at school and by other parents. The individuals after being a good citizen and are working hard and now have lost their jobs because of a mistake years ago. So the children pay and the wives pay and mom and dad etc.. If I were those individuals I would sue the government for prejudice!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Honest Opinion on Jan 14, 2010 at 11:39 PM

---while state prosecutors say they'll fight to defend law designed to protect Nebraskans. So the citizens who's lives and families lives they intend to cause great harm to, are not Nebraskans who really need some defending? The children and wives should suffer the unintended consequences their legislators imposed on them? They don't need someone defending their right to safety, happiness or a source of income when this new law causes husbands and father to become unemployed? The job of the prosecutors office is to protect the citizens and to "punish" those who harass sex offenders. I sure call this harassment! What other changes will these Nebraskan big wigs devise next for those on the hit list, tree hangings or cross burnings?

Posted by: T Location: Lincoln on Jan 13, 2010 at 04:11 PM

The new law is ridiculous. My husband is an offender on the list. We have children, work great jobs, have a house, friends, and now we are at risk for losing everything. It is public humiliation for stupid choices he made over 16 years ago. This is double jeopardy, offenders are being sentenced years after they've done their time in prison. There are now many innocent people suffering and in fear and many of them aren't old enough to understand. It's wrong. I do hope that whoever does check the site out and knows someone, i hope they take the time to not judge so quickly. Some offenders have taken classes, counseling and have bettered their lives and now this law just ruins their life and those around them all over again. Nebraska government at it's finest. As a parent, due to this, I now want a list of people who are drug dealers, murderers, kidnappers, drunk drivers - so I too can protect my children. I think, list or not, it's up to the parents to protect their kids!

Posted by: mike Location: lincoln on Jan 13, 2010 at 10:31 AM

@RJ....no its never the girls fault. they have absolutely no idea what they are doing according to the politicians, therefore they are not responsible for anything. But yet they go prancing around on the maury povich show, flaunting their assets and bragging about how they can get any guy they want, but yet when a guy falls to their seduction, the girl is an "innocent" victim.

Posted by: RJ Location: Grand Island on Jan 13, 2010 at 06:27 AM

I agree with keeping it in your pants , what about keeping em' in your blouse as well ? Somewhere it says " Yield Not To Temptation " but what about " The Temptress " being responsible as well ? Does anyone adhere to the " 10 Commandments " . Bet you don't know anything about them , do you ?

Posted by: dont worry bout it Location: lincoln on Jan 12, 2010 at 11:19 PM

i suggest make the age of consent puberty like a lot of other countries who arent living in fear because they have so many "threats to society" according to lawmakers. For some reason the US like to say people under 18 are children and cant make their own decisions.

Posted by: ms Location: lincoln on Jan 12, 2010 at 09:57 PM

These are preventable crimes, if you don't like the laws here go live somewhere else.

Posted by: Concerned Location: Fillmore County on Jan 11, 2010 at 03:12 PM

My opinion is yes these people did committ the crime and should be punished. However when listing these people on the site I feel that maybe the goverment should also list out the crime or a censored (meaning leaving out the victims name) police report about the offense that also includes year of offense, age of both victim and offender, and maybe any other legal records that would be useful. Yes it places a lot of people up there and is a lot of info to go through but if you are truely concerned about your family stop whinning and start reading, make your own opinion of who is dangerous. Also I do agree that there should be a list of murders as well I would like to know if my neighbor has killed someone. This is a very controversal topic by far.

Posted by: Mom/Social Worker Location: Lincoln on Jan 10, 2010 at 08:31 AM

I am tired of hearing SEX Offenders Whinning... You did the Crime,, this is called a Consequence.. those of you that are so worried about the 19 yr old who slept with the lying 16 yr old girl I say Stop hiding and explain yourself... I had a client who was in this same position. He is a registered sex offender who couldnt find a job or place to live. Since this situation was truely his crime, i suggested he carry around his Police report that said exactly this. Yes, he had to explain his self to alot of people.. but it put his neighbors and co workers at ease and held him responsible at the same time.

Posted by: me Location: ne on Jan 10, 2010 at 03:15 AM

This new law is bogus. Hhalf or more of those offenders didn't/wouldn't/will never hurt a child. Guess what, you get drunk and get a little grabby with an old lady, you are now on a website. Their is more to it than just being on a website. You can't work out of town because you have to check in every 3 days, you can't go to your kids basketball game without getting permission from the principle of the school, you have to worry about your job, and the whole time the average person that looks at that stupid website can't tell the difference between what you did and what the guy 4 houses down that raped his own kids did. Anyone who supports this bill is completely uneducated on the subject. Oh, and you don't have to "take it out of your pants" to get on the website now.

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