What Happens When a Sex Offender Fails to Register?
If you have been convicted of a sex crime in the state of California, you are almost always required to register as a sex offender according to the California Penal Code – oftentimes for the remainder of your life. You must register as a sex offender within five days of your initial release from prison. If you fail to register within that time period, you could face additional charges. Your registration must also be renewed every year within five business days of your birthday as well as any time that you relocate to a new residence. If you fail to renew your registration willfully or knowingly, you could face additional misdemeanor or felony charges. The severity of these additional charges usually depends upon the severity of the crime you were originally charged with, as well as whether or not it was a first offense.
If you have been accused of failing to register your sex offender status, the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Sean F. Leslie can help mitigate your charges, or dismiss them altogether. Contact us today for a consultation.
Rules for Sex Offender Registration
An offender must register every year on his or her birthday. Whenever a registered sex offender moves to a new location, they must set up an appointment with their new local law enforcement agency to re-register/notify of new location. Those that are homeless/have no permanent residence must notify local law enforcement of their whereabouts every ten days. If the offender has moved to a new location, he or she must notify local law enforcement.
Failure to Register Under California Penal Code Section 290
If the offender fails to register and is on probation, that would be a violation of probation terms. The offender could face prison time.
If the offender is not on probation, the District Attorney has the option of filing the failure to register as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The likelihood of felony charges is high. That person could be subject to up to three years in state prison for willful violation of registration.
Forgetting is NOT a defense to failing to register as a sex offender. The person in question is strictly liable for the responsibility to keep their registration current.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
At the Leslie Legal Group, we understand the stress involved when facing criminal charges, and we can help you understand the process of sex offender registration. Let us put our criminal defense experience to work for you. Contact us today for a consultation
