Strategy shifted in challenge of sex offender ordinance

DOVER, N.H. - A New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against the city of Dover contending that its sexual-offender ordinance is unconstitutional has been dropped, but the organization is planning a different strategy against the measure.

NHCLU attorney Barbara Keshen filed a motion to dismiss the suit last week in Strafford County Superior Court, which was granted on April 22 by Judge Kenneth Brown.

Keshen said the NHCLU would now argue the legality of the city's ordinance at the lower court level when it defends registered sex offender Richard Jennings at his ordinance violation hearing on June 3 at Dover District Court.

The civil suit was filed on behalf of Jennings.

The city's ordinance bans registered sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of a school or day-care center. It was adopted by the City Council in October 2005.

Jennings was charged with violating the ordinance last year after being charged with felony failure to register as a sexual offender, for not notifying police that he had moved from Portsmouth.