Getting convicted of a sex offense in California often results in a person being required to register as a sex offender. This can have a detrimental effect on a person’s future, even after they have served time in prison. Whereas most people released from prison can begin to try to rebuild their lives, those on the California sex offender registry face additional hurdles. Here, the Los Angeles sex offense attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter want to discuss a recent case about a man who was required to re-register as a sex offender. We think this case highlights just how hard the state fights to keep people on the registry.
Cary Jay Smith is being evaluated at a mental health facility in Costa Mesa. He was recently released from a state mental health hospital and has moved around four Southern California counties since his release. However, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and the state Attorney General’s Office both recently agreed that Smith should be required to register as a sex offender once again.
According to state officials from the Attorney General’s office, Smith was mistakenly told that he no longer had to register as a sex offender. However, Governor Gavin Newsome issued an executive order mandating that state prosecutors serve Smith with paperwork to force him to register.
Smith’s court files for a conviction in 1983 have already been expunged. However, there is still paperwork from another case in the mid-1980s that show Smith was convicted of a sex crime that required him to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The crime in which he was convicted at the time no longer requires defendants to register as sex offenders in California.
Regardless of that fact, state officials are standing their ground and have maintained that Smith will register as a sex offender. Smith spent 21 years at a state mental health hospital and underwent extensive treatment. An attorney for Smith said that “In not renewing the commitment, the state hospital determined that Mr. Smith was no longer a danger to others.”
Is this case indicative of how the state of California believes anyone convicted of a sex offense should be treated? Is there any such thing as rehabilitation in the minds of state officials?
One thing is certain – anybody facing issues regarding sex offenses must work with an attorney to ensure they received the most favorable sentencing possible.
If you or somebody you love is facing a sex offense or the requirement to register as a sex offender, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have extensive experience handling these cases, and we are ready to get to work on your behalf today. We will conduct a full investigation into the incident and work to build a solid defense on your behalf. We have a track record of success handling these cases and resolving them favorably on behalf of our clients. You can contact our Los Angeles sex offense attorneys today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799 for a free consultation.