Banished from New York City: The Legality, Policy Considerations, and Practical Implications of the Housing Restrictions Faced by People on the Sex Offender Registry
Listen on iTunes here, Google Play here, or stream it on the web here.
In New York City, there are hundreds of men and women on the sex offender registry who are subject to the Sexual Assault Reform Act (SARA) residency restriction, which prevents them from living within 1,000 feet of a school. This little-known restriction has created enormous constitutional problems. Because our densely-populated city contains virtually no residences that comply with this restriction, prisons are holding these people past the length of their prison sentences if there is no SARA-compliant housing available – a time period that usually extends longer than a year. This event on September 11, 2018 addressed the history and policy behind the residency restriction, the impact of SARA on people who have committed sex offenses, and the legal challenges being made on behalf of people affected by SARA.
Panelists:
Michael Burke, Hodges Walsh Messemer & Burke, LLP
Bill Dobbs, Publisher, Dobbs Wire, newsletter about sex offense law and policy; Advisor, Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center at Mitchell Hamline Law School
Emily Horowitz, Professor and Chairperson, St. Francis College, Sociology and Criminal Justice Department
Susannah Karlin, Licensed Social Worker, Center for Appellate Litigation
Robert Newman, Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice, Special Litigation Unit
Greg Williams, The Fortune Society
Moderator:
Camilla Hsu, Appellate Counsel, Center for Appellate Litigation
Sponsoring Association Committee:
Criminal Justice Operations Committee, Sarah J. Berger, Chair
Co-Sponsoring Organization:
New York Sex Offense Working Group
Related Resources:
If you’re interested in this program, you may be interested in these City Bar resources:
Opposition to Further Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders – 2019 NYS Executive Budget
