What is the sex offender registry?
The sex offender registry is a comprehensive database. It contains information on all people who have been convicted of serious sexual offenses. Each state maintains their own sex offender registry, and are updated regularly as new details are made available and offenders age off of or are otherwise removed from the registries.
What details are included in the sex offender registry?
The name, age and address of the offender will be listed. A photo of that person will often be included. Other information that is usually contained in the registry include details such as the person’s place of employment or where they are attending school, any aliases they may go by and a brief description of their crime written in language that should be easy enough for anyone to understand and comprehend.
What is a level II Sex Offender?
A level II sex offender designation is typically assigned to people who have been convicted of third-degree sex offenses. It can also be awarded to individuals who have been found guilty of attempting to or actually selling a minor child for sexual purposes and distributing child porn.
Who can see information that’s in the sex offender registry?
Data in a state’s sex offender registry is available for anyone in the general public to view at any time. A person doesn’t even have to live in Maryland to see the state’s sex offender registry information. All they need to do is to visit the website https://dpscs.maryland.gov/onlineservs/socem/default.shtml and search for specific people or details that they are looking for.
How long do level II sex offenders have to register?
If the sex offender was sentenced to prison as a punishment for their sex crime, they must register after that sentence has expired. If the person was not imprisoned, they have three business days to register. They will also be required to report to respective local authorities every six months.
People can be punished for failing to register. Tier II sex offenders who don’t register could be subject to a fine and/or jail time. They may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $5,000 and/or sentenced to as many as three years in jail. These penalties can increase if the person has an outstanding warrant or other existing convictions.
How long do level II sex offenders stay on the state registry?
Level II sex offenders may be required to remain on the Maryland state sex offender registry for up to 25 years. This is usually non-negotiable. However, there may be certain instances in which the person is removed.
Can my information ever be removed from the registry?
Your information will be removed from the registry after the mandatory time period has expired. Listings can also be deleted after the offender has passed away, been pardoned for the crime in question or had their criminal record expunged. A person’s information may also be removed if they are moving to another state or country. However, that individual may be required to register in the specific state or nation that they are moving to.
Do non-Maryland residents who are level II sex offenders need to be on the state’s sex offender registry?
Tier II sex offenders who work or attend school in Maryland but don’t live in the state must register within 3 days of registering for classes or starting employment. This is true, regardless of the type of school that the person is signing up for. Failure to register could result in a warrant being issued for that person’s arrest.
What should I do if I move?
If you move, it’s a good idea to inform the appropriate officials of your new information. This includes your change of physical address, as well as any changes of email addresses or names on your social media accounts. You should provide this information as soon as possible.
You may be required to supply those details if you relocate to another state or country. The specific rules can vary from one area to another. You can do some research online or contact the appropriate government office to learn more about what data must be given. It’s important to be aware of local laws no matter where you live.
It’s perfectly normal to have questions about the sex offender registry. Fortunately, we’ve got answers. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our trained professionals will listen to what you have to say. They will provide valuable insight and advice and can represent you if you’ve been accused or convicted of a sex crime.
Having your name and other information made available for anyone who wants to see on a state sex offender registry can be intimidating. It can also make the search for housing and suitable employment much more challenging, Certain people may see you as a risk solely based on that classification.
It will take some considerable time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility in your community. Even if several years or decades have passed since the crime that you were arrested for, there may still be certain people who will view you in a negative light. They may automatically assume that you are a bad person or are unreliable. Spouses, romantic partners, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, friends, coworkers and classmates may distance themselves from you for those reasons.
Things can be more complex if you’re ordered to stand trial, are sentenced to jail or required to register as a level II sex offender. Anyone will be able to access your information if you’ve registered as a sex offender in your state. However, they are not allowed to retaliate against you or try to threaten or harass you. You still have certain legal rights, depending on where you live and the nature of the actions that were taken against you.
Our ultimate goal is to help you get back on your feet again. Progress will be gradual. There are bound to be good days and bad days. Taking positive steps to improve your image and make a better life for yourself and the ones that matter the most to you will probably have you back to enjoying life again before you realize it.
