The Missouri Bar

Sex Offenders Can Participate in Halloween

A judge struck down part of a law that would ban Missouri sex offenders from participating in Halloween. Four registered sex offenders sued in federal civil court, saying the current law is too vague. The injunction is temporary. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more details.

This year, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down a retrospective law that would have punished sex offenders who were convicted before the registry was create. Find out more details about retrospective law in this Law in Your Life podcast.

MO Sex Offender Registry Back in the News

Missouri lawmakers want voters to approve a constitutional change that would expand Missouri'a sex offender registry. Right now, sex offenders convicted after the registry came into law must register, but anyone convicted before that time cannot because of retrospective law.

Retrospective law means that you cannot retroactively apply laws to crimes. But if the current proposal is approved by voters, all sex offenders must register - no matter when they were convicted. (Read more in USAToday and at KBIA)

In this Law in Your Life interview, attorney Chet Pleban explains retrospective law, and how it can apply to more than just sex offenders.

MO House Approves Special Sex Offender License

The House gave first-round approval to a bill that would require sex offenders to get a special drivers license. Any sex offender who does not register with the database will not be allowed to get a license if the bill becomes law. (Read more)

Registering sex offenders is a hot topic during this election year in Missouri. Recently, the Missouri Court of Appeals denied a move by the Highway Patrol to force all sex offenders to register - including those convicted before the registry come into place in 1995. The court decision reflects retrospective law. Attorney Chet Pleban explains what that is and why it is important in this Law in Your Life interview.

Court Rules on Updates to MO Sex Offender Registry

The Missouri Court of Appeals says people convicted of sex crimes before 1995 cannot be required to give updated information to the sex offender registry.

The Missouri Highway Patrol wanted to update the registry with current work and home addresses of all Missourians convicted of sex crimes, but a lower court said no. This decision upholds that ruling. (Read more)

This decision reflects retrospective law. In this Law in Your Life podcast, attorney Chet Pleban discusses retrospective law and why it's not good for Missourians.