Colorado's Sex Offender Registry Counts as Cruel and Unusal Punishment, Judge Rules

A federal judge has ruled that Colorado’s sex-offender registry violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Matsch ruled Thursday in a case involving three men who challenged the state law requiring convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement. Their photos, addresses and other information are then posted online. Matsch said this exposes the offenders to “punishments inflicted not by the state but by their fellow citizens” because it makes it difficult for them to find jobs or places to live. The ruling is not expected to cause any immediate changes in the registry.