My state (OK) requires that aggravated or habitual sex offenders have their driver's licenses renewed yearly and their sex offender status printed on their license. The law requiring this was challenged in federal court. The challenge was based on the premise that being a sex offender was belonging to a protected class and the government was singling out these members of a protected class for special requirements, just the way that race used to be used under the Jim Crow laws.
I think this is a stunningly awful use of a very creative legal mind. I saw a short blurb about this on the news and looked online to see if this was something proposed or in effect.
I am not mentioning this to have a political discussion on the merits of the legal arguments. I am not sure if other states do this or not. I wonder if this would be helpful as a way to start to protect our children a little bit better? Sure, you don't see people's licenses very often, but if you were to see this, it would be memorable. I am sure it would get around the community if it was seen. This might open up some conversations, at least. What we were doing up to now hasn't been working. It would also let law enforcement know at every contact that they were dealing with a sex offender who is either habitual or has committed an aggravated offense. This would help them when doing road blocks or setting up perimeters and checkpoints for Amber Alerts. I could see it possibly being helpful.
What are your thoughts? Will this ever be helpful?
I think this is a stunningly awful use of a very creative legal mind. I saw a short blurb about this on the news and looked online to see if this was something proposed or in effect.
I am not mentioning this to have a political discussion on the merits of the legal arguments. I am not sure if other states do this or not. I wonder if this would be helpful as a way to start to protect our children a little bit better? Sure, you don't see people's licenses very often, but if you were to see this, it would be memorable. I am sure it would get around the community if it was seen. This might open up some conversations, at least. What we were doing up to now hasn't been working. It would also let law enforcement know at every contact that they were dealing with a sex offender who is either habitual or has committed an aggravated offense. This would help them when doing road blocks or setting up perimeters and checkpoints for Amber Alerts. I could see it possibly being helpful.
What are your thoughts? Will this ever be helpful?