Readers invited to attend sex offender legislative hearing

The office of House member Janet H. Adkins, State Representative from Fernandina Beach, informed Historic City News that tomorrow afternoon, a legislative hearing will be held in Jacksonville to receive testimony concerning laws related to sexual offenders in Florida.

Expert panels from the criminal justice system and the fields of community controls, supervision of released offenders, and mental health counseling, have been assembled to provide further testimony as to the current laws and systems in place today.

“The tragic circumstances surrounding Cherish Perrywinkle and Somer Thompson underscore the need for us to have a close look at the laws related to sex offender crimes against children,” said Representative Adkins. “It is my goal to listen and gather information regarding the current laws and circumstances regarding registered sex offenders; in order to prepare me to file legislation in the 2014 session to improve and strengthen those laws related to crimes against children”.

Guest panel experts from each of the following organizations will be on hand to hear the public testimony and provide information in regards to current legislation and controls: Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Florida Department of Children and Families; Florida Department of Corrections; Florida Council Against Sexual Violence; Community Behavioral Services; Jacksonville and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices. These experts represent the fields that focus on the roles, responsibilities and current laws that govern the arrest, conviction and commitment process of sexual offenders; the supervision, monitoring and registering of released convicted offenders; civil commitment and community behavioral counseling determination process in addition to victims’ rights and community awareness and education.

If you plan to attend, the legislative hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 4th beginning at 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Lynwood Roberts Room of City Hall, located at 117 West Duval Street in Jacksonville. The hearing is open to the public, with limited seating.

Adkins will be accepting public testimony at this hearing. This legislative hearing will allow members from the public to deliver testimony and provide an opportunity to gather input from both the public and subject matter experts about necessary changes to legislation governing sex offender crimes.