Relocating Abroad While on SOR

[chexmix666]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: N/A

I've always wondered why those on SOR do not relocate to another country, one that would not require them to register.

You often hear about how being convicted of a sex crime can ruin a persons life, even after they paid off their debt to society serving prison time. Why not relocate to a new country, where you're not looked down on and treated as a second class citizen?

I can imagine it would be tough to gain citizenship to another country when you're a convicted felon, but there has to be somewhere that would let you in.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Contact various countries and ask their policies.

[blueeagle]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: N/A

I've always wondered why those on SOR do not relocate to another country, one that would not require them to register.

You often hear about how being convicted of a sex crime can ruin a persons life, even after they paid off their debt to society serving prison time. Why not relocate to a new country, where you're not looked down on and treated as a second class citizen?

I can imagine it would be tough to gain citizenship to another country when you're a convicted felon, but there has to be somewhere that would let you in.

Often wondered that myself. Probably has something to do with difficult citizenship requirements. An example: I know a gentleman who was convicted of burglary when he was 18. He paid off his probation, got a good job, went to college, and obtained a B.A in Economics. He truly turned his life around. A few years ago he attempted to obtain Dutch citizenship, but much to his surprise, he was denied. You see, if a non-sexual offender can't be granted citizenship in the most liberal nation on Earth, what makes you think a sexoffender would be allowed in?

[chexmix666]

Often wondered that myself. Probably has something to do with difficult citizenship requirements. An example: I know a gentleman who was convicted of burglary when he was 18. He paid off his probation, got a good job, went to college, and obtained a B.A in Economics. He truly turned his life around. A few years ago he attempted to obtain Dutch citizenship, but much to his surprise, he was denied. You see, if a non-sexual offender can't be granted citizenship in the most liberal nation on Earth, what makes you think a sexoffender would be allowed in?

The fact that it's such a liberal country actually makes me less surprised that they'd deny him citizenship based on something like that.

I doubt many well established European countries would grant you citizenship (and if they did, they'd probably put you on a similar kind of registry), but I'd be willing to bet you could find somewhere (albeit somewhere could mean a 2nd world country) to start a new life without that baggage following you around (at least it wouldn't be as public as in the U.S).

But I guess if I can clarify my question, or alter it a bit, does the U.S have a policy stating that you have to stay within the country while you're on such a registry?

[kist]

Most likely the US would not grant you a visa. But the registry has only been a problem for a few years and within a few years it will be so gutted by the courts as to no longer destroy lives. It should be just for preditory sex offenders, not necessarily every charge relating to sex. (like that poor 19 year old college student who had his life destroyed for streaking)

Especially troubling are the many young people on it for teen with teen consensual sex.

[chexmix666]

Yeah I agree with you (Kist). I definitely think they went overboard with it, especially with the younger crowd and those charged with non violent sexual acts. The intentions were good, but it's not working out very well.

I'm just curious, has the sex offender registry ever been taken to a higher court? I guess I could see it being ruled as cruel and unusual punishment.

As for the visa thing, I would imagine you're right about that. Thanks for the input.

[usedbranflakes]

My ex-wife (girlfriend at the time) saw a 15 year old kid "pants" his girlfriend in High School; they had been dating since they were pre-teen and were the "perfect" little couple. Both were prettier kids in the school, both were straight-A students, both loved music and he played guitar and had hair a little too long for her parent's liking. So, he "pantsed" her in front of friends and her parents pushed for gross sexual misconduct; it was a stretch but his parents didn't have extra money to pay a lawyer.
The parents didn't like him and filed charges against the wishes of their daughter. He went to juvie and is a RSO. He can't get a good job and she carries the load in the family as a nurse if I recall correctly.

He is now in his 30s and married to the girl. They have kids. Christmastime must be really fun with His inlaws!

He pantsed the girl and is an RSO; it's not like he drugged her or knocked her unconscious sodomized her, raped her, and left her for dead. ...but the RSO laws in West Virginia don't discern between a violent criminal RSO and a kid that just made a stupid decision.

...and I saw this happen where a girl had a button-down (snaps) denim dress. Her boyfriend, Todd, opened it for the world to see her skimpies and we all laughed. Her mom took it in stride and asked Todd not to do it again in front of her friends. As an adult I can say I would have the same reaction if it were my daughter. I might even chat with Todd's dad.

Todd is now a doctor. The young lady went on to become a college cheerleader, captain of the team if I recall correctly, and went into her desired field as a nurse. Todd was a player and had a series of average-length relationships with girls in school. What if Todd had met the same fate as Kenny? ...but Todd never "pantsed" or "skirted" another girl again and neither did Kenny.

[usedbranflakes]

There is another sticky issue and that is the Adam Walsh Act. In some cases RSOs must register yearly with their state. If they relocate abroad then they have no stateside address and the registering state may report them as non-compliant and a fugitive for failure to register. If they ever come back to the states they could be popped and stuck in the clink for up to 10 years, I believe.

In the past years America has gotten tough on international sex offenders, international human traffiking, and RSOs travelling internationally. Expect to see things like the Adam Walsh laws and Megan's laws expanded to an international level and require folks travelling overseas, even to countries that don't require a visa, to register with DHS or the State Department.

That having been said, travelling with a Felony is difficult. Traveling as an RSO with a Felony is even more difficult and sometimes impossible. Relocating to another contry; forget about it.


About the only option would be joining the French Foreign Legion and later becoming a French citizen. From there there is renouncing US citizenship, never returning to the US, and assuming the identity that the FFL will provide. That and the embarrassment that comes with knowing that Germany could steamroll you any day of the week if they really wanted to. This creates another issue because most states require fingerprint and DNA samples AND sexual predators are likely to reoffend. ....in this case James Jones no longer exists but Jacques Neauveax does exist and has the same DNA and fingerprints that James Jones has. Even though the FFL is lenient they will discover your background in the states even if you lie. If someone suspects you are a Chester the Child Molester (and an RSO is no matter how non-violent the crime) they will treat you as harsh as any prisoner gets treated. Once they find you are a Felon with an RSO requirement you are history.

So, well, no. ...there is no chance to relocate and start anew.