Ga. sex offenders freed from restrictions
The Georgia Supreme Court has overturned restrictions that forbid convicted sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of locales frequented by children.
The ruling by state's top court Wednesday deemed a provision of a 2006 state law unconstitutional due to the fact its restrictions could force a convicted sex offender to abandon their homes and uproot their lives, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruling was prompted by a lawsuit brought by convicted sex offender Anthony Mann, who was told to quit his job and relocate after a day-care center opened near his home.
The court's ruling was immediately criticized by state House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, who sponsored the 2006 law.
"In throwing out the residency requirement in total, based on one situation, the effect of
their ruling is that now convicted felony sex offenders are free to live anywhere they want to in Georgia," the Republican told the newspaper, "whether it's a park, playground or day-care center next door // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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