By Jonathan Eberle |
A federal court has upheld Arizona’s sex offender registration requirements, marking a significant legal win for state lawmakers who intervened to defend the statutes after Attorney General Kris Mayes declined to do so.
In Doe v. Sheridan, plaintiffs sought to overturn Arizona’s lifetime registration and reporting rules for certain convicted sex offenders. The lawsuit challenged requirements that mandate lifetime inclusion on the state’s sex offender registry, reporting of residential changes, and disclosure of online identifiers. Critics of the law argued the measures were overly burdensome and unconstitutional.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes did not defend the state’s position in the case, prompting Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro to step in on behalf of the legislature. They argued the laws are essential for transparency and community safety.
U.S. District Judge Stephen McNamee ruled last week to uphold the statutes, finding the state’s registration and monitoring system constitutional. Petersen said the ruling reinforces key safeguards for families.
“When the Attorney General didn’t defend Arizona’s public safety laws, we refused to allow the safety of our children to be jeopardized,” Petersen said in a statement. “This ruling makes clear that tracking convicted sex offenders is not only constitutional – it is necessary to protect families and prevent new victimization.”
Under the ruling, Arizona will continue to require lifetime registration for qualifying sex offenders; require prompt reporting of address and online identity changes; and maintain public tools that allow law enforcement and families to monitor registered offenders.
Petersen called the outcome “a victory for every parent in Arizona,” adding that legislative leaders will continue to act to protect communities when others decline to defend state law.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
