Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

Every state requires individuals convicted of certain sex crimes to be placed on the state’s sex offender registry list. The list provides a way for law enforcement officials to track offenders and to notify the surrounding communities of their presence. State law lists 21 different sex offenses for which a person has to register. These offenses include sexual assault, sexual abuse of a child, child prostitution, sex trafficking of a minor, and failing to register as a sex offender.

After a conviction of a specific sex crime, the offender has 10 days to go in person to register at the sheriff’s department in the county in which he or she lives. Sex offenders must provide their home address, email address, fingerprints, a blood sample, and an up-to-date photograph. Should the offender move, he must go in person to the sheriff’s department within three days of the move and provide the office with the new address.

Sex offenders who forget to register after moving or who ignore the registration mandate altogether face serious consequences if caught by police for any other crimes or is turned in by someone that they know.

Every state has their own variation of laws for sex offenders, for example the State of Arizona considers failure to register as a sex offender as a separate crime for which the offender can be prosecuted and imprisoned. The charge is a Class 4 felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to two and a half years in prison. The offender will be supervised upon release and has to register with the sheriff’s department. Once registered, the sheriff’s department categorizes offenders into one of three levels based on the risk that they pose to the community.

Third-level offenders are considered a danger to the public and more likely to commit a crime again. The sheriff’s office notifies neighborhoods, schools and other community groups about the sex offender by sending a flyer to them containing the offender’s photo, exact address, and criminal history.

The sheriff’s office also notifies the nearby community of second-level offenders. Notifications can also include flyers with the offender’s photo, criminal history, and the general area, and not the exact address, of his residence. With first-level offenders, the sheriff’s office provides information about the offender to other area law enforcement agencies and the people with whom the sex offender will live.

Guest Post provided by David Cantor, Sex Crimes Attorney in Phoenix, AZ. The Law Offices of David Michael Cantor is an AV rated law firm that handles all types of Arizona sex crimes.

If you are charged with a sex crime in Maryland, please consult with an experienced attorney soon to discuss your options.