Are You Required to Register as a Sex Offender in California?
For 50 years, California has required dangerous sex offenders to register with local authorities. However, this registration was not made public record until the passing of Megan's Law in 1996. Megan's Law was enacted to provide communities with information about convicted sex offenders living nearby, thereby enhancing public safety.
Now, sex offenders are required to register with local authorities for the rest of their lives if they live in, work in, or go to school in the State of California. Their information will be made public so that anyone with a computer can have access to the current whereabouts of a convicted sex offender. Some of the crimes where a person would be required to register are:
- Rape
- Sexual Battery
- Lewd acts with a minor
- Child pornography
- Indecent exposure
- Incest
- Child prostitution
- Arrange a meeting with a minor
Legal Consequences of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
If you fail to register as a sex offender, the legal consequences under California Penal Code 290 PC depend on the type of sexual-related offense that requires you to register. If you intentionally failed to register after a misdemeanor conviction or juvenile adjudication, you could be convicted of a misdemeanor offense and sentenced to up to one year in county jail.
Suppose you intentionally failed to register as a sex offender after a felony conviction or juvenile adjudication. In that case, you can be convicted of a felony criminal offense and sentenced to state prison for 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years (Penal Code § 290.018(b).) Even if the courts decide to grant you probation, you must still serve a minimum of 90 days in county jail.
Other circumstances that could affect the legal consequences include classification as a sexually violent predator or as a transient. Consulting with an experienced sex crime defense lawyer about the details of your sex crime case is crucial to understanding the consequences you may be facing and obtaining the most favorable outcome possible.
The Impact of Registration
The information that will be made available to the public will be your name, a photo, identifying information such as height/weight, hair color, physical identifying marks like tattoos or scars, known aliases, and what you were charged with.
The convicted person must update this information with the authorities yearly within five days of your birthday or five days after moving residences. This process involves providing updated personal and residence information, and it is in your best interest to contact a defense attorney who can guide you through this process and ensure that you are fulfilling the requirements.
As part of the sex offender registration process, DNA submission is mandatory for people arrested for allegedly committing certain felonies. This submission is crucial for maintaining an accurate and comprehensive database of sex offenders, and failure to comply can result in additional legal consequences.
Contact Our Law Firm For a Consultation
If you find yourself in a situation where you have failed to register, a criminal defense lawyer at Cron, Israels & Stark can provide the necessary assistance. Our team is experienced in defending cases of failing to register as a sex offender, and we can help you navigate this challenging situation.
This could occur for many reasons, and defenses could be pursued following an initial consultation with our office. Being required to register as a sex offender can be devastating to one's life and one's career and can leave one isolated.
Failure to register can lead to further imprisonment, with serious consequences including additional convictions of misdemeanor or felony charges. Our firm is committed to securing the best possible outcome for your registration failure. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation.
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