A case in California could help Indiana sex offenders

November 4, 12:45 AMHuntington County Political Buzz ExaminerMark Shoffner

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  The Indiana law disallows those convicted of sexual offenses, the ability to live beyond a 1000 feet from a school or public park. http://nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_fa172151-6a98-5ff0-b74b-3a32c8c41220.html. California's law only allows sex offenders within 2000 feet from schools and parks. In California, four convicted felons have put the law to the test. They have filed a lawsuit with the California Supreme Court charging that the law violates their constitutional rights. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091103/ap_on_re_us/us_california_jessica_s_law.

   If the court finds in favor of the filers, this may place similar laws in other states in jeopardy. Some communities in Indiana, such as Huntington, were hesitant to enforce the offender displacement law when it was enacted. The officers in charge stated that the law was to vague. The court's decision in California may make the argument pointless.

   This suit brings to question rights versus protection. The country will be watching the for the court's final ruling.