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Sex Offender Registration

Registering as a Sex Offender in California: Megan’s Law

 There are so many negative aspects to being charged with a sex crime in California. If you are convicted of the crime, you face sex offender registry for a significant length of time. Registering as a sex offender in California is one of the harshest legal punishments, as you will live under severe restrictions on your freedom and your life. These restrictions make it almost impossible to live a “normal” life.  The sex offender registry is a way for the state of California to keep track of where sex offenders live and ensure they are abiding by the restrictions. Being placed on the sex registry can affect virtually every part of your life. You may be unable to hold certain jobs, especially those working with children. You could be restricted to certain places to live; sex offenders are not allowed to live within 1,000 feet of a school. You could even lose custody of your children and a lack of privacy.

The impact of a child custody case for a person who must register as a sex offender will depend on the nature of the charges and the family court judge. A sex crime conviction that is related to children could result in the loss of custody. When registering as a sex offender in California, it is important to speak with an attorney regarding how this could affect your custody agreement and your life.

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    What Are the Requirements for Registering as a Sex Offender in California?

    Under California Penal Code 290 PC, those convicted of certain sex crimes will be required to register as sex offenders. This usually includes registering at their local police station every year. This registration must be done within five days of the individual’s birthday and within five days of moving. California’s old registry was replaced in January 2021 with a new three-tier sex offender registry system that categorizes offenders based on the severity of the crime. Those in the lower tier can potentially have their information removed from the registry.

    It was determined that the provisions for low-risk offenders should not last a lifetime.  Some sex crimes will require a ten-year registration (Tier 1), some registrations will be for 20 years (Tier 2), and some will be for the life of the offender (Tier 3). An individual convicted for a sex offense that requires registration must submit their name, address, physical description, and criminal history to local law enforcement within five business days of being released from prison. Tier 1 sex offenses include indecent exposure, child pornography, child molestation, and more.

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