Possible Expectations After Someone Becomes a Registered Sex Offender

A sex crime conviction may lead to harsh punishments, including rigorous imprisonment despite your effortful criminal defense in Anaheim, California. Additionally, the penalty for a sex crime conviction doesn’t end once you have served your time. The reason is Megan’s Law mandates anyone convicted of a sexual offense to register as a sex offender. As a consequence, you could find yourself dealing with the negative outcomes of one mistake for the rest of your life. 

Registry in Sex Offender Databases 

Under Megan’s Law, a person convicted of certain sexual offenses is needed to be registered as a sex offender with the Division of State Police. You will have to register as a sex offender irrespective of whether your conviction was in your native state or some other state. 

Once you are convicted of a sex crime, your name will be listed in the following: 

1. Online registry of sex offenders  
2. State registry of sex offenders 
3. Community notifications 
4. National registry of sex offenders 

Apart from all other relevant agencies… 

A few of the sexual offenses that may mandate sex offender registration include the following: 

1. Sexual Assault  
2. Aggravated Sexual Assault 
3. Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact 
4. Luring or Enticing  
5. Endangering the Welfare of a Child 

Sex Offender Release Requirements 

• You will have to register before your release from prison or a supervised release program. 
• Before your release from prison, the prosecutor’s office in the county where you were convicted will assess your case and place you into one of three categories or tiers. These tiers are differentiated by the level of risk you pose of re-offending in the future. The community notification procedures differ, based on the tier in which you have been placed. As the classification is subject to judicial review, it may be possible for a sex crimes lawyer to challenge your initial classification and petition the court to place you in a lower-risk tier. 
• Another aspect of the community notification procedures is law enforcement visiting one doorstep to another and notifying your neighbors and local organizations regarding your existence in the neighborhood. These individuals and groups will know your name, your address, as well as your physical description. 
• Intentionally providing false information about your place of residence while registering is a fourth-degree felony and may lead to you being sentenced to up to 18 months in state prison. 
• Within 48 hours of your discharge, you will also have to register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which you reside. 
• Whenever you fail to comply with Megan’s Law requirements, you can again be charged. This time with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. This is a third-degree felony and carries a potential punishment of 3-5 years in State Prison. 

Verification of Your Address under Megan’s Law 

• Whenever you have been placed into the highest-risk tier, you will have to verify your address with your local police department every 90 days. 
• When you are placed into a lower-risk tier, you will need to verify your address each year. 
• In any event of your movement, you will have to inform the local police departments in both your old municipality and your new municipality. You need to report a change of address at least 10 days before establishing a new residence. If you fail to notify law enforcement regarding a change in residence, then it’ll be a fourth-degree felony and carries a penalty of up to 18 months in state prison. 
• The same strict requirements are applicable once you change your place of employment and if there is any change in your school enrollment status. Failure to notify law enforcement regarding these changes within 5 days, will also lead you to face serious prison time. 

Conclusion 

When you are accused of a sex crime you must have an experienced criminal defense attorney who is the best lawyer in California representing you. Their experience and aggression can help you in the long run.