San Diego Area Cities Strengthen Jessica's Law Even As Courts Weigh Its Validity

Several San Diego Area Cities have beefed up restrictions on sex offenders even as the California court system considers whether or not the underlying law is even permissible. Prompted by citizen outcry and a growing concern about childhood safety as sex offenders move into suburban neighborhoods, a number of California cities are adding extra protections and safeguards to the California law (which establishes a database of registered offenders whereabouts and prevents them from coming within 2000 feet of a school) including San Diego's regulations. Under the city ordinance, registered sex offenders can't be within 300 feet of an amusement center, arcade, day care facility, library, playground, park or school.

While courts are always laying claim to be above the political fray, its no secret that city ordinances passing all over the state will invariably weigh on the minds of judges considering the fallout of undermining tough sentencing laws and restrictions on sex offenders.

This is one political issue few judges will want to be on the wrong side of - politically speaking.