Call Us +1-555-555-555

Call Today - Available 24/7

YOUR FUTURE IS ALL THAT MATTERS

VIEW OUR OFFICE LOCATIONS
Criminal Defense Lawyer in Orlando, FL

Registration as a Sex Offender or Sexual Predator

Being labeled a sex offender or sexual predator is a serious sentence that carries potentially life-long consequences. If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, it’s time to talk to Hanlon Law to get started on your best possible defense.


What is the Sex Offender Registry?


The sex offender registry is a list of all convicted sex offenders and sexual predators in the state, along with certain identifying information. This list is freely accessible to the public, with certain information restricted for law enforcement use only. In general, though, anyone can look up the sex offender registry in their state or another state, and easily find pictures, names, and locations of all registered offenders.


Every state in the US maintains its own registry, with its own rules and regulations regarding the information listed along with how and when that information should be updated. Florida, specifically, has some of the most detailed requirements regarding registration information, including: 


  • Personal: full name, date of birth, social security number, age, race, sex, etc.
  • Physical: current photograph, eye color, hair color, height, weight, identifying marks/scars/tattoos, finger/hand/palm prints, etc.
  • Criminal: designation as either sex offender or sexual predator, supervision status, relevant crime(s), known aliases, date and place of conviction(s)
  • Location: current residential address, vehicles, email address(es), internet identities (such as social media handles), etc.


Offenders may also be required to submit any professional licensure they maintain or have maintained previously, along with any affiliation with institutions of higher education (colleges and universities). 


Who Has to Register as a Sex Offender Or Sexual Predator?


Anyone convicted of a sex crime can be sentenced to mandatory sex offender registration. The details of any given case will determine the subsequent sentence, along with any legal mandatory components and the presiding judge’s discretion. 


There are two designations recognized by the registry: sex offender and sexual predator. The specifics of these two categories can vary from state to state, but in the state of Florida, sex offenders are often associated with sex crimes of a lewd and lascivious nature (involving minors) or with sexual battery (rape). 


Sexual predator, on the other hand, is a more serious identifier reserved for repeat offenders, those that prey on children, and those that use physical violence. Florida, specifically, considers sexual predators to be those convicted of first-degree felony sex crimes or have multiple second-degree felony convictions within a 10-year period. 


Sexual predators are considered a higher risk to society at large, and often face stricter registration requirements and restrictions in their daily life. For example, when a sexual predator moves to a new address and provides the updated information to their sheriff’s office, the sheriff will then notify all neighbors within a 2-mile radius of the new address of the sexual predator’s imminent arrival. 


What Happens If You’re Sentenced to Mandatory Sex Offender Registration?


If you’ve been sentenced to register as a sex offender or sexual predator in the state of Florida, you will be expected to report to your local sheriff’s office within 48 hours of your conviction. If you are to be jailed or otherwise imprisoned as a part of your sentence, you will need to report to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours of being released. 


At the sheriff’s office, you’ll be required to submit personal information for the registry (as listed above). You will have your photo, fingerprints, and palm prints taken, and your entire file will be forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).


Within that same 48 hours, you will also need to report to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. There, you will identify yourself as a registered sex offender, provide similar information, and have your photo taken so they can provide you with an identification card. 


Once these steps are completed, you have fulfilled your initial registration demands. You will be expected to update this information annually to confirm its continued accuracy. If any of the information you provide to either of these departments changes at any time, you will be expected to update your registration within 48 hours of the change. So, for example, if you move to a new home, you will need to provide your new address within 48 hours of living there. Or, if you get a new phone number, you must provide that number within 48 hours of the line becoming active. 


You will also be required to notify your local authorities of any plans to travel, be it domestic or foreign. 


In addition to your responsibilities regarding keeping your registration up-to-date, you will also face certain limitations in your daily life. Many prospective employers will not hire convicted sex offenders or sexual predators, and certain educational and professional opportunities may not be available due to your registration status. Your sentence may also contain other stipulations, such as dictating a radius you must maintain from certain public spaces such as schools, playgrounds, etc. This can limit your housing, educational, and employment options.


What Happens if You Violate Mandatory Sex Offender Registration?


Violating sex offender and sexual predator registration requirements is a third-degree felony. Even simple violations, such as failing to update your phone number when it changes, can lead to being arrested. In such cases, simply correcting the outdated information will not aid your defense. If you are found to be in violation of your registration, you may face imprisonment, probation, fines, or other consequences depending on the severity of your violation. 


Can You Get the Requirement for Sex Offender Registration Removed? 


Typically, sex offender and sexual predator registration is for life, and the only way to get your registration removed is by official pardon. However, depending on the circumstances of the conviction and sentence, some registered offenders may be eligible for either removal from the list or a reduction in restrictions after 25 years. 


For example, after the designated period, you may qualify to have your restriction to be near certain public spaces like schools, parks, etc. removed, which can greatly increase your housing, educational, and professional opportunities. 


Sex Offender Attorney Near You


Mandatory sex offender registration is no joke, and once you’re registered, the consequences can last your entire lifetime. That’s why it’s vital to seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. At Hanlon Law, our team offers nearly twenty years of experience in the courtroom. We’ll help you navigate the proceedings and walk you through all your options to build your best possible defense. If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, don’t wait. Contact Hanlon Law today to schedule a free consultation.

Share by: