LOS ANGELES (AP) - A federal judge has temporarily blocked a key provision of a Southern California city's new Halloween sex offender law.
The Los Angeles judge says Simi Valley cannot require its convicted child sex offenders listed on the Megan's Law website to post front door signs on Halloween reading: "No candy or treats at this residence."
But the Ventura County Star says the judge left intact requirements that offenders refrain from opening their doors to trick-or-treaters and decorating the outside of their homes with a Halloween theme.
They also must turn off outdoor lighting from dusk to midnight on Wednesday.
The suit filed last week contended the ordinance violates the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
City Attorney Marjorie Baxter says the ruling is a big victory.
___
Information from: Ventura County Star, http://venturacountystar.com
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
