Every criminal conviction has its consequences, but few more so than a sex crime conviction. From restrictions on where you can live, travel, and work, sexual offenders are subject to more than just fines and incarceration. If you’re facing allegations of a federal or state sex crime, it’s critical to understand the long-term consequences of a conviction before accepting a plea bargain or proceeding to trial. Sex offender status can affect every aspect of your life long after your court-imposed sentence has come to an end.
Sex Offender Registry
Sex offenders who have been convicted of a sex crime since the adoption of Megan's Law in 1994 are required to register. Immediately after prosecution, offenders are required to fill out a form and submit it to their local police department. This form requests very personal information of the offender, including their full name and aliases, a residential address, license plate and registration numbers, workplace locations, email addresses, any online usernames and identities, a description of the crime, their level of risk, a recent photograph, and more.
All of this information will be sent to all the community members in the offender's neighborhood. This information is also available online.
Offenses that Require Registration
Offenses requiring registration include:
Sexual assault
Aggravated sexual assault
Criminal sexual contact
Aggravated criminal sexual contact
Endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct
Promoting prostitution of a child
Luring or enticing
Kidnapping
Criminal restraint
False imprisonment
Refusing to register or failing to report any changes in personal information to the authorities is a fourth-degree crime.
In an already tough job market, having a sex crime on your record can make finding a decent job all the more difficult. A criminal record is a public record, which means that it is accessible to employers. It's common for employers to conduct background checks to select qualified employees in the hiring process. Depending on the occupation, employers may be reluctant to hire you over another person who either was convicted of a minor crime or doesn't have a record at all.
Restricted Access to Benefits
A sex crime on an offender's record will also disqualify them from receiving aid from state and federal government programs. Unfortunately, those who wish to receive a loan for school, gain access to Medicare/Medicaid, or reap other benefits provided by the government, will be denied.
The only way to avoid the long-term consequences of a sex crimes conviction is to avoid the conviction itself. Whether this means zealously defending your rights at trial, appealing an adverse judgment, or applying for an expungement, the experienced sex crimes defense attorneys stand with you.
