
Sex Offenders Not Required To Post ‘No Candy’ Signs On Halloween
Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders took to Facebook to share a decision handed down by United States 8th District Court Judge John Ross, which eliminates part of the law dealing with the conduct of registered sex offenders on Halloween.
The part of the law ruled unconstitutional by Judge Ross deals with signage that sex offenders were required to post outside their residences that stated, "No candy or treats at this residence."
In his Facebook Post, Sheriff Anders believes it's not a huge, groundbreaking decision because the statute's language was vague and not operationally defined. He went on to share an experience of working a Halloween operation checking on sex offenders in Jackson County ten years ago. He ran into an offender who had the sign posted with the required phrasing, yet it was printed on a small piece of paper and taped on an exterior mailbox. As ridiculous and unhelpful as he felt that note was, it was considered compliant.
That is the only part of the ruling that impacted the conduct of registered sex offenders on Halloween.
Registered sex offenders are still required to avoid all Halloween-related contact with children. They must remain inside their residence between 5:00 PM and 10:30 PM CDT unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, including but not limited to jobs or medical emergencies. Finally, they must leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5:00 PM CDT.
Sheriff Andres says in his post that letters sent to all of the 220+ registered sex offenders in Pettis County will reflect this change. He also says that the Pettis County Sheriff's Office and Sedalia Police will execute Operation Lights Out again this year. Officers will make sure offenders are individually checked and complying with the law. Warrant applications will be submitted to the Pettis County Prosecutor's Office for those in violation.
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