Southern Center for Human Rights

SCHR's Litigation Challenging Georgia's Sex Offender Law

k
On June 20, 2006, the Southern Center for Human Rights filed a class action lawsuit challenging the 1,000 feet restrictions set forth in Georgia's new sex offender legislation.  If you would like to be informed about developments in the case, please subscribe to our listserve. 

Recent Updates:

• 6/25/08: On June 9, the State filed a motion to decertify the class of people on the registry in the Whitaker case, arguing that SB 1 solved many of the problems that affected the class of people on the registry.  SCHR filed this brief opposing the State’s motion and explaining to the Court that people are still being evicted from homes and required to leave jobs due to the law.  We are asking the Court to resolve this case as soon as possible
   
• 6/24/08: Georgia Sex Offender Law Criminalizes Religion; Injunction Filed to Halt Implementation of Ban on Faith-based Volunteering
   
• 5/14/08: Georgia Sex Offender Law back in Federal Court moments after being signed by Governor Perdue
   
• 11/21/07: Georgia Supreme Court finds residency restrictions in Ga. Code Ann. § 42-1-15(a)  “unconstitutional” because it violates the takings clauses of the state and federal constitutions. Read the opinion and our update.
   

Overview of Georgia's Sex Offender Law and Whitaker v. Perdue, Civil Action No. 4:06-cv-140-CC (N.D. Ga. 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
Press Releases 
Legal Documents
Statement of Faith and Concern On HB 1059’s Church Restrictions


Text of HB 1059 as passed by the Georgia House and Senate
Fairness for Prisoners' Families' Guide to Understanding HB 1059

We will update this site as there are developments in the case.

Return to the Southern Center for Human Rights
Support the Center