The Nightmare That Never Ends: Why “Time Served” Isn’t Enough

By: John Guidry

“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will become like noonday.” — Isaiah 58:9-10

This is the story of a thousand or more Orlando residents who, at one time in their past, were convicted of a sex offense.

• The jail time is completed.
• The prison time is completed.
• The probation is completed.
• The fines are paid in full.
• The counseling is finished.

And yet, the nightmare continues.

Facing new restrictions even after your sentence is done?

The law is constantly changing. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

The Dark Cloud

For these citizens, “paid your debt to society” is a myth. The dark cloud hanging over their heads is not just the fact that no one will hire them. It is not just that no one will rent them a place to stay.

It is that their freedom to live where they want is hindered by laws that do not permit them to live within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, or daycare center.

But now, some legislatures are opting for even more Scarlet Letter style branding.

The New “Social Media” Branding

A Louisiana law (which often inspires other states like Florida) heaps more punishment on offenders who have already completed their terms.

The law requires sex offenders to include within their social networking profiles an indication that they are a sex offender. This “digital brand” must include:

• A description of the crime.
• The location of the crime.
• Their physical characteristics.
• Their current residential address.

The Penalty for Silence The penalties for failing to destroy your own reputation online are outrageous—worse than Florida’s penalties for failing to register.

• First Conviction: 2-year minimum mandatory prison sentence (Max 10 years).
• Second Conviction: 5-year minimum mandatory prison sentence (Max 20 years).

Why This is Wrong

Look, if you think a sex offender is still a danger to the community, then keep them on probation. Continue their supervision until they are deemed “safe” via counseling.

If that still doesn’t make you happy, there is always Civil Commitment (in Florida, this is the Jimmy Ryce Act), where dangerous predators are involuntarily hospitalized.

But to punish citizens who are living freely with new and cruel disclosure laws is immoral. One day, I hope our court system declares such regulations unconstitutional.

A Preachy Moment

Hey, you know that an article starting with a Bible verse might get a little preachy.

As a Christian, I am offended by the way our laws treat sex offenders. In modern society, sex offenders are what Jesus would define as the “least of our brothers.” When Jesus said we should love our neighbor, he didn’t mean that we should keep them 2,500 feet away.

John’s 2026 Update: The Courts Agreed (Mostly)

Note: In the original article, I hoped the courts would find these laws unconstitutional. They did.

1. Social Media Bans are Unconstitutional In the landmark case Packingham v. North Carolina (2017), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a state cannot ban sex offenders from social media sites like Facebook. They ruled that the internet is the “modern public square,” and banning people from it violates the First Amendment.

2. The “Scarlet Letter” ID Was Struck Down The prompt discussed Louisiana’s “branding” laws. In 2020, the Louisiana Supreme Court (State v. Hill) struck down a law that required sex offenders to carry an ID card with the words “SEX OFFENDER” printed in orange letters.

• The Court ruled this was “Compelled Speech”—forcing a citizen to say something against their will—and violated the First Amendment.

The Reality in 2026: While you can’t be banned from Facebook or forced to brand your ID card, you still face strict Registration Requirements. In Florida, you must still register your internet identifiers (email, usernames) with the Sheriff’s office, even if you don’t have to display your crime on your profile.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s ensure your rights are protected.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.