Opinion ID: 2601946
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Registration Statute Deprives Briggs of a Liberty Interest in Reputation

Text: ¶ 33 The Utah registration statute requires the DOC to publish two distinct types of informationinformation that implies that listed offenders are currently dangerous and information that does not. Most of the information published on the registry, including the offender's prior convictions, current address, appearance, and other similar information relates to the offender's prior convictions or simply lists vital information, and does not impermissibly opine on the offender's present likelihood of committing a crime. The DOC's publication of information related to appearance, address, and other similar information, standing alone, does not imply that the listed offender is currently dangerous. ¶ 34 But one section of Utah's registration statute does require the DOC to publish information implying that the listed offender is currently dangerous. Section 77-27-21.5(13)(a)(ii) requires the DOC to publish information related to the offender's primary and secondary targets. [37] Neither the registration statute nor the registry defines what constitutes a primary target or a secondary target. Webster's New College Dictionary defines target as an objective; goal or someone or something that is the focus of attention, interest, etc. [38] If the registry entry for a registered offender lists minor females under the heading primary target, it implies that the offender's current goal, focus of attention, or interest is minor females. Even if the DOC derives the listed offender's primary target by reference to the offender's past victims, the label is troubling in that it implies that the offender is presently focused on repeating past crimes with similar victims. Anyone reading the registry would likely conclude that the offender's primary target is the DOC's prediction regarding the offender's next victim. ¶ 35 In addition to primary target information, the Utah registration statute requires the DOC to publish information on the offender's secondary targets. While primary targets is troubling because it implies future dangerousness, the undefined nature of the term secondary targets raises even more concerns. We presume that the offender's primary targets are derived from a description of the victim of the offender's past offense, but we are unable to discern how the DOC identifies the offender's secondary targets. This lack of structure for identifying secondary targets raises additional due process concerns because the offender does not even know what facts are relevant for determining secondary targets. ¶ 36 By including information implying that the offender is currently dangerous, Utah's registry damages the offender's reputation and changes his legal status, depriving him of a protected liberty interest in reputation. Like the list of those who drank excessively in Constantineau, the statutorily mandated designation of currently dangerous changes the legal status of listed offenders. The registry attaches a badge of infamy, officially designating listed offenders as prone to future criminality.