What is the sex offender registry?

The sex offender registry is a database compiled of people who have committed certain sexual crimes. Each state maintains its own registry. This data is updated regularly as new cases have been decided and as people are required to register as a sex offender. Information is also updated when people have been removed from the registry due to time expirations and other reasons.

What information is included in the sex offender registry?

A photo of the offender will be provided. The entry for the offender will also contain that person’s age, name and address and any aliases they may go by. Other details that are typically included are the school that the individual is currently attending, their place of employment, a description in layman’s terms of the crimes that the person committed and the offender’s vehicle registration.

Is the data contained in the sex offender registry available for the public to view?

All information in a particular offender’s registry file is viewable by the general public. People can see that information whenever they want. However, there may be certain confidential details that can only be seen or accessed by law enforcement members. The information can be found at https://dpscs.maryland.gov/onlineservs/socem/default.shtml.

What is a Tier I Sex Offender?

A Tier I sex offender is generally considered to be the least serious. It is the lowest of the three sex offender tiers. Some Tier I sex offenders may have been convicted of specific kinds of level 4 sex offenses.

Sex traffickers, people who own child pornography, individuals who provide certain information on the Internet that has been proven to be false or misleading and those who spy or engage in video surveillance of others without their prior consent may be given the Tier I sex offender designation.

How long do I have to register after being sentenced or convicted of a sex crime?

Offenders who currently live in Maryland have to register after being released from jail if they were sentenced to prison for their sex crime. If community supervision was ordered, the individual must register within 3 days from being released from that supervision. Tier I offenders must also report to local authorities every 6 months.

How long do Tier I Sex Offenders have to remain on the registry?

The tier that a sex offender is placed in will depend greatly on the nature and severity of their crime. It will also dictate how long that particular person will remain on the registry.

Tier I sex offenders usually remain on the sex offender registry for at least 15 years. A judge could reduce this amount of time if necessary. An offender could also be removed if conditions warrant that removal.

Can I ever get removed from the registry?

A Tier I sex offender will be removed from the registry after the mandatory time period has elapsed. They may also be removed if the offender has had their record expunged, been granted a pardon for the particular sex crime or if they have passed away.

Offenders can also be removed from a state’s sex offender registry if they move to another state. However, that doesn’t mean that they’ll be off the registry for good. They will just have their information sent to the new state and district that they’re moving to. Depending on the local and state laws, they could be required to register in that state.

What are the penalties for not registering?

An offender who does not comply with mandatory sex offender registration is subject to a misdemeanor charge that includes fine and jail time. They may be ordered to pay a fine of no more than $5,000 and/or serve up to three years in prison.  Additional penalties may be tacked on if the person has committed other violations or crimes.

What happens if I move?

If you move to another city or county, it’s a good idea to inform the respective officials as soon as possible. They may ask for information such as your new address, employer information or the address of the school that you’ll be attending. Changes in names on social media accounts and email addresses should also be included. This data should be supplied in a timely manner every time that you move within the state of Maryland.

This data should also be provided if you move to another state or country. The local laws will dictate what information should be given and when. Every state and nation differ in terms of what will be required.

Do non-Maryland residents who are Tier I sex offenders and go to school or work in the state need to register?

Tier I sex offenders who don’t live in Maryland but work or live in the state should register within 3 days from the start of employment or registering for the next school session. This is true regardless of the type of school or line of work that the offender is involved in. Failure to register within that time could result in a warrant being issued for their arrest.

If you’ve been accused or convicted of a sex crime, give us a call today to set up a free consultation. Our trained professionals will listen to your side of the story and provide valuable insight and recommendations for potential next steps. We can even represent you in court if you want.

Being convicted of a sex crime will undoubtedly change a person. Even after they have served their time, the fact that they must register as a sex offender can affect their personal relationships. It may also hamper their ability to secure housing or employment or otherwise continue leading a normal life.

Things may be a bit more complicated until you are able to remove your name and information from the sex offender registry. That data will be available to the public, but people are not allowed to use that information to threaten or harass you. You can seek certain legal remedies in those situations. It will take some time, but eventually you should be able to start enjoying life once again.