An ordinance in Simi Valley, California bars sex offenders from having contact with children or decorating their homes on Halloween. But now, a federal lawsuit seeks to strike it down.

Under the ordinance, registered sex offenders cannot display Halloween decorations, must turn off exterior lighting on their properties from 5 p.m. to midnight on October 31, and must post signs on their front doors that say “No candy or treats at this residence.”

Proponents of the ordinance argue that these restrictions are necessary to protect children out trick-or-treating. Similar policies have been enacted across California in cities such as Ontario, Orange, and Riverside.

However, the people behind the lawsuit—five registered sex offenders, three of their spouses, and two of their children—argue that the ordinance violates the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

What do you think? Should sex offenders be allowed to decorate their homes on Halloween?

Depends. What were they convicted of to be put on the list? Not all sex offenders are created equal.

Alan Smithee wrote:

Depends. What were they convicted of to be put on the list? Not all sex offenders are created equal.

This, if it's specifically something that involves kids, then no lights definitely. But as to decorating? I don't know what other kids do but we NEVER went to the houses that didn't have their porch lights on because it always meant they weren't giving out anything in the first place.

Yeah, if they want. Now giving out candy is probably a no-no. But if they wanna decorate their house, then let them.