Sex offenders in Missouri no longer required to post ‘no candy’ signs on Halloween
A Missouri judge struck down a law requiring sex offenders to hang “no candy” signs outside their homes on Halloween after ruling it unconstitutional.
In 2008, Missouri passed a law requiring sex offenders to stay indoors on October 31, away from children, keep their outdoor lights turned off and post a sign to deter children from the premises while trick or treating.
Any offender who violated the criteria of the law could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, as stated in the Missouri Revisor of Statutes.
But U.S. District Judge John Ross ruled Wednesday that sex offenders don’t have to put up those signs starting on Halloween Fox 2. He said judges across the state were against enforcing the sign requirement.
The other measures are still in force.
No Candy Signs No Longer Required for Missouri Sex Offenders on Halloween (stock image)
Trick or treaters approached a house on Halloween (stock image)
The decision comes after a registered sex offender from Hazelwood, Thomas Sanderson, filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Andrew Bailey, claiming his First Amendment rights were being violated.
Sanderson, a Tier II offender who was added to the list in 2006, was arrested in 2022 for trespassing. Police said he had a big Halloween show and handed out candy to children.
In the 2023 lawsuit, he alleged that he and his family have held Halloween festivities every year for the past 22 years. First warning 4.
Enthusiastic trick or treaters reaching for candy (stock image)
The lawsuit also said the “no candy” sign caused Sanderson to make a statement he disagreed with.
Bailey filed a motion to respond to Sanderson’s lawsuit, arguing that “the First Amendment does not give sex offenders the right to give candy to children on Halloween.”
Sanderson claimed that authorities told him twice that this law did not apply to him because his conviction occurred before the law took effect.
A plastic pumpkin filled with candy for children on Halloween (stock image)
In response to the fact that ‘no sweets’ signs are no longer necessary, people have expressed their shock and confusion online.
One passionate F*** that judge!’
‘It’s crazy when adults make rules like that, and all the other normal adults don’t grab these particular adults and throw them in a dungeon somewhere. Instead we allowed them to remain in power,” said another.