N.C. judge: Freedom of worship trumps restriction on sex offenders

PITTSBORO, N.C. -- A judge has ruled that a North Carolina law limiting sex offenders' ability to worship is unconstitutional.

Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour ruled Thursday that two parts of the law aimed at protecting children from child molesters are too vague and broad.

The judge also found the statutes infringe on the constitutionally protected right to worship.

The decision comes after authorities arrested registered sex offender James Nichols in March for attending a Baptist church outside of Raleigh because the church provided child care.

The statute says offenders must stay 300 feet away from any area intended for the use, care of supervision of minors and any place where minors gather for regularly scheduled events.