FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2008

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Tim Fox – 465-7336

Fox Applauds Court Decision Requiring Sex Offender Registration

(Helena) - Republican candidate for Attorney General Tim Fox today applauded Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull's opinion from last week upholding the constitutionality of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), saying that the rights of parents to protect their kids from sex predators should be a top priority.  Judge Cebull's opinion reached a conclusion opposite to Judge Don Molloy's in a separate but similar case earlier this year, which means that the question of the law's constitutionality will likely be decided by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Fox said, "We must require all sex offenders to register with our state Sex Offender Registry without exception.  Parents have a right to protect their kids, and that means they must know when a convicted sex offender is living in or near their neighborhood or schools."

Fox said that too many sex predators are slipping through the cracks, and a law requiring out-of-state sex offenders to re-register when they move to Montana just makes sense.

In another development, Fox pointed out residents in Ravalli County were shocked last week to discover a Level 3 sexual violent offender with a high risk of offending again was living across the street from the Florence-Carlton elementary school.  Fox pledged to work with local authorities and the legislature to close dangerous loopholes that threatens our kids.

"State sex offender registries are all about prevention," Fox said.  "Parents and school authorities need this type of information to keep kids safe.  We need to close the cracks that these predators are slipping through."

Fox has campaigned on the issue of cracking down on sex predators, and has vowed to fix Montana's Violent and Sexual Predator Registry which is missing many of the statutorily-required photographs of sex offenders.  Fox's plan to address the sex predator problem in Montana also includes an Internet email subscription service where Montanans can sign-up to receive instant notification when new offenders move into the subscriber's neighborhood, or when existing offenders move or change their information. 

Fox also called on Attorney General Mike McGrath to file an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the Sex Offender Registration law if the question does come before the 9th Circuit Court. 

Fox said, "This is a critical situation and it's imperative that the position of Montana law enforcement be clearly stated.  We can't afford to take a pass on this.  We run the risk of having sex predators slip through the cracks undetected."  Fox said that he would seek to file an amicus brief in any potential case that comes before the 9th Circuit if he is elected Montana's next Attorney General.

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