Story Published:
Oct 30, 2008 at 4:08 PM CST
Story Updated:
Oct 30, 2008 at 4:08 PM CST
ST. LOUIS -- Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office says a court order means a new state law aimed at keeping children
away from sex offenders on Halloween night can be enforced in its
entirety. That means registered sex offenders in the state are required to remain inside their homes from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday unless
they need to work or have a medical emergency.
The law also requires them to keep their outside lights off and post a sign telling trick-or-treaters that no candy is available. They must avoid Halloween-related contact with children.
A federal judge said earlier this week that two of four provisions in the law could not be enforced this Halloween. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a one-sentence stay on Thursday, sought by Gov. Matt Blunt and Nixon.
The ACLU of Eastern Missouri says it is continuing legal action
on behalf of four unnamed sex offenders to have the law taken off
the books.
