Judge: sex offender's no-contact order goes too far

[Ed: Today is an unusually good day with two judicial "wins". Let us hope for more. ]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Court of Appeals has overturned a state court order banning a convicted sex offender from being within 100 feet of any minor, including his two young children.

The appellate court ruled last week the no-contact order imposed on Brian C. Cobler went too far, violating his parental rights. The no-contact order included letters, phones and e-mails.

Cobler was arrested in 2006 and convicted of having a three-month sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 2 years in prison.

In his decision earlier this month, Idaho Court of Appeals Chief Judge Sergio Gutierrez says denying Cobler his rights as a parent "oversteps the authority of the state."

Cobler and his wife have two children, a boy and girl, who were both under the age of 6 at the time of his arrest.

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.