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Part of state sex offender registry is unconstitutional, Alaska Supreme Court says

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that part of the state’s sex offender registry violates offenders’ rights to due process – and is unconstitutional.

Under state law people found guilty of many sexual-based offenses – such as sexual assault and even some kidnapping charges -- are required to register as a sex offender.

But the court’s 3-to-2 decision says the registry provides no means for offenders to show they are not a threat to public safety.

At the center of the ruling -- a man accused of sexual battery in Virginia moved to Alaska in January 2003.

He filed a lawsuit in 2016 claiming the state had no authority to require him to register in Alaska and that the law violated his due process rights.

In the majority opinion, the decision says requiring a person convicted elsewhere to register is legal -- but offenders should be allowed to prove they no longer pose a public risk.

Originally from the Midwest, Tripp Crouse (Ojibwe, a descendent of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, pronouns: they/them) has 15-plus years in print, web and radio journalism. Tripp first moved to Alaska in 2016 to work with KTOO Public Media in Juneau. And later moved to Anchorage in 2018 to work with KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation. Tripp currently works for Spruce Root in Juneau, Alaska. Tripp also served as chair of the Station Advisory Committee for Native Public Media.
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