Can A Registered Fl Sex Offender Attend Church

Sex Offenders Afterward Prison: May They Attend Church?

Trying to shed the characterization of "sex activity offender" can be hard when many churches are not welcoming.

In fact, Dick Witherow, pastor and author calls sex offenders mod twenty-four hour period lepers. Just unlike many faith communities, Witherow's church, Miracle Park, nearly 90 miles exterior of Miami supports sexual activity offenders' rights to worship. Wearing ankle bracelets and electronic monitors on their belts sex activity offenders are invited to fill the pews.

So, may sexual activity offenders nourish church building? Do they have a right to worship?

Although sex activity offenders accept the correct to worship, finding a church building to attend tin be a challenge.

Virtually states restrict sex offenders' movements in some way. For example, in Georgia, registered sexual practice offenders can't live or work within 1,000 ft. of places including schools, churches and child-care centers.

As more states have adopted laws regulating where sex offenders can go, it has raised debate about the First Subpoena correct to worship.

This hot button outcome recently came to a head in Louisville, KY when a Christian church, in what many believe is kickoff time, knowingly ordained a convicted sex activity offender as a government minister.

Marker Hourigan, a convicted sexually abusing an 11-year-onetime male child became the newest minister at City of Refuge Worship Centre. According to courtroom documents, Hourigan was arrested on ane count each of first-degree sodomy and sexual corruption in Marion County, Ky., in 1998. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual corruption.

The terms of Hourigan's parole, which he completed in June 2008, included an order that he non serve in any leadership chapters at a church building with youths, the Associated Press reports.

As previously discussed, James Nichols, a convicted sex offender challenged the NC constabulary prohibiting registered sex offenders from coming within 300 ft. of any facility devoted to the employ, care or supervision of minors. He claimed information technology was too broad and denied him from attending a church of his option.

A judge ruled that a law limiting registered sex offenders' ability to go to church infringed on constitutionally protected rights -- specifically, the right to worship.

Today, 36 states plant zones where sex offenders cannot live or visit. Some states provide exceptions for churches, just many do not.