Once someone is labeled a sex offender, their life changes forever. That individual must register their address with the police in every jurisdiction that they move to here in Florida and anywhere else in this country.
Defendants are given three days to register as a sex offender after having been sentenced in their case. This requirement only applies if they’re not facing incarceration. Incarcerated individuals must register as sex offenders before they’re released from prison.
All sex offenders are required to appear in person to provide police with their new address no more than three business days after they move to the area. They’re given the same amount of time to notify authorities of any change in employment, student status or name as well.
Some sex offenders are required to appear at various intervals to be photographed or to verify their information. Tier I sex offenders must do this annually. Tier II and Tier III sex offenders are required to do this every six or three months respectively.
The amount of time that someone must remain on the sex offender register depends on how they’re classified. Tier I sex offenders have to register for a minimum of 15 years whereas Tier II ones are required to do so for at least 25. Tier III sex offenders remain on the registry for life.
Registration time can be reduced by five years provided that an offender maintains a clean record for 10 years.
A convicted sex offender must not have been convicted of a felony or any new sex offenses to qualify as having a clean record. They must have also completed any supervised release, parole or probation plus a sex offender treatment program to be deemed to have a clear record.
Any person that fails to register as a sex offender can face up to 10 years in prison under federal law 18 U.S.C. §2250.
If you’ve been charged with a sex offense then you’re looking at more penalties than simply serving your time in prison or on probation and paying fines. You face being placed on the sex offender registry for the rest of your life. This can impact your ability to live in certain areas or hold certain jobs. You need an attorney on your side who is keen on protecting your rights, name and future handling your Tampa case.
