DENVER, Co. - Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman will appeal the recent federal ruling declaring the state's sex offender registry unconstitutional.
Two weeks ago, a federal judge ruled in favor of three convicted sex offenders, who claimed the online registry was a form of cruel and unusual punishment because it extended punishment beyond prison or jail time and probation.
The judge also said the registry served more to punish the plaintiffs for past crimes than as a public safety measure and that it negatively affected the plaintiffs' ability to live and work, as well as put them in danger of attacks or verbal abuse.
Coffman did not initially announce whether she would appeal the ruling, but in statement given exclusively to KRDO Newschannel 13 late Tuesday, a spokesperson said her office will proceed with an appeal on behalf of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which maintains the registry.
“I am surprised by the court’s decision, and think the ruling contains several legal errors which we will now address on appeal,” Coffman said.
Coffman also pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court has previously found that sex offender registration laws are tools to protect the public, not a form of additional punishment. ..Continued..
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