ROTTINO, CARUSO BASH N.J. SUPREME COURT DECISION BANNING RESTRICTIONS ON SEX OFFENDERS

WAYNE NJ,--  The ruling yesterday by the New Jersey Supreme Court upholding a lower court ruling that struck down municipal ordinances prohibiting convicted sex offenders from living near school and playgrounds is and abomination, say District 40 Republican Assembly Candidates Anthony Rottino and Joseph Caruso.  

“This is the kind of ruling that makes parents sick,” said Rottino, the father of four children. “I believe in the Constitution; I also believe in keeping children and women safe.   

“I think the court erred in this matter and this ruling offers another example of why we need to have conservatives in the state legislature so New Jersey can stop appointing liberal judges who put individual rights ahead of common sense,” said Rottino, a Franklin Lakes resident who grew up in Wayne. 

Caruso – the father of two small children and a Wayne resident -- said that liberal judges ruling from the bench are making abstract decisions without regard to consequences.  

“I want to see one of those Supreme Court Justices come off that bench and look into the eyes of a child who has been raped by a known sex offender and tell that child that the constitutional rights of the beast who just ruined her or his life got in the way of our community’s ability to protect you,” said Caruso.

 “Liberalism is ruining New Jersey economically and politically. Now it is putting people in jeopardy,” he added.

Rottino questioned whether it is violation of a person’s rights to make it harder for them to commit a crime.  

 “Is it really a violation of the Constitution to tell a pedophile that we don’t think it’s a good idea that you live across the street from a school or a playground where you have access to dozens of innocent children?” asked Rottino.

Rottino  and Caruso said the legislature should act immediately to address any failures of Megan’s Law that the court finds in conflict with municipal ordinances restricting where sex offenders live. 

 “I am sure that if Anthony and I were in the legislature now, we would be up all night writing legislation to protect innocent people from sex offenders,” said Caruso.