When it comes to sex offenders, they are treated much differently than other criminals. This is because they are treated as an ongoing danger to society as a whole and have to be kept in the public eye to prevent them from reoffending again.
Because of this, there are specific things that sex offenders are not allowed to do. Of course, each state has its own laws as to what they can do, so it’s going to differ depending on the area.
The Three Levels Of Offence
What a sex offender cannot do is really dependent on how severe their crime was. A level I crime involves actions like public indecency, voyeurism, or non-violent sexual contact without penetration. A level II crime involves sexual acts with minors aged 12-15, coercion of minors aged 12-15, and distribution of child pornogrpahy that involves pubescent minors. A level III crime involves actions involving pre-pubscent minors, such as violent sexual abuse, kidnapping for sexual purposes, rape, or acts with a minor under the age of 12.
Hiring the best and brightest sex crime attorneys can help you determine your case for you, if you’re afraid that a sex offender may be living in your area.
Requiring Registration
Sex offenders are required to register themselves after they’ve served their sentence in prison. They must include their name and other aliases, home and work addresses, a most recent photo of themself, their physical attributes, and a record of their convictions. This is so that anyone who is looking in the registry knows what they look like and what area they live in so that families can protect themselves.
Sex Offenders Can’t Live Anywhere They Want
Sex offenders are extremely limited in where they can live. Most states require sex offenders to not live in the vicinity of a school, playground, or any location where children congregate. For this reason, most sex offenders end up moving to very rural areas, away from cities.
Sex Offenders Are Restricted In Movement
When moving to or from work, or doing simple tasks like going to the grocery store, sex offenders are require to take circuitous routes that keep them away from playgrounds, schools, or locations where children congregate.
In addition, sex offenders have to re-register at a new registry if they move to a new state. International travel is even more difficult and a mark is placed on their passport to notify the authorities in the country of destination.
Sex Offenders Can’t Be Employed Anywhere
Sex offenders are not allowed to work in any jobs that would bring them into contact with children, regardless of whether their crime involved a child or not. This is for the purpose of protecting children altogether, since they are a vulnerable group of people. Many sex offender registries are public, so anyone can see who could be living in their area. Parents want the power and freedom to know whether their children are safe or not, and sex offender registries make that possible for them