State Appellate Defender Office relays information regarding court decision

The State Appellate Defender Office issued a media release related to a late-July decision of the Michigan Supreme Court in People v Paul Betts, holding that the 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act is unconstitutional punishment.

With the court’s decision, the registration act’s many requirements cannot be imposed against those whose offenses requiring registration came before introduction of the 2011 SORA.

Attorney Jessica Zimbelman said the court correctly recognized the extreme and unconstitutional burden placed on nearly 40,000 Michiganders by requiring registration with no determination as to who actually poses a risk to the public.

The decision came after nine years of litigation, which included multiple briefs to the Michigan Supreme Court and two oral arguments.

Zimbelman said the decision recognizes the unjust realities for people forced to register under procedures that include constant monitoring and public scorn, all of which come with little to no effect on public safety, Zimbelman added.