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Federal judge blocks enforcement of Georgia law prohibiting sex offenders from volunteering in church

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local article, federal district judge on Monday "granted a preliminary injunction that overturns a provision of Georgia?s sex offender law [that] prohibited registered sex offenders from volunteering in churches." Here are more details from the article: The Southern Center for Human Rights challenged the constitutionality of the restriction, saying it criminalized protected religious activity. The center has a pending lawsuit against Gov. Sonny Perdue which also challenges a restriction that would prevent sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop. That restriction is also on hold, pending the outcome of the court case. U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper wrote in a ruling that church activity was recognized by state correction officials as a benefit for convicted criminals that helps reduce recidivism...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on April 01, 2009 (boomark / email).