People v. Pearse

This case presents question as to whether defendant was proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt on charge of violating section 3 of Sex Offender Registration Act, where: (1) defendant had registered his permanent home address with applicable authorities; (2) defendant was hospitalized for few days, and he notified authorities of said hospitalization; and (3) defendant failed to re-register his permanent home within 3 days after returning from his hospital stay. Appellate Court found that defendant was properly found guilty of section 3 violation, where: (1) language in Act required registration within three days “regardless of an initial, prior or other registration;” and (2) record showed that defendant had established “fixed residence” at hospital that provided him with behavioral health care services, which triggered obligation to re-register his permanent residence when he returned to his permanent home. (Dissent filed.)