Registration as a sex offender is mandatory under Penal Code section 290 for persons convicted of one of the sex offenses listed in that section. Even if the offense is not listed in Penal Code section 290, a person may be ordered by a court to register as a sex offender if the criminal offense committed was sexually motivated. Each person convicted of such an offense has a lifelong obligation to register. Registration is also mandatory for transients convicted of a registerable offense. Most offenders are required to register annually within 5 days of each birthday, or within 5 days of changing addresses.
In addition to lifelong registration requirements, the California Attorney General’s Office maintains a website where information about certain sex offenders may be accessed by the general public. Depending on the type of offense committed, an offender’s home address, picture, and other information may be posted for viewing by the general public. For some offenses, the home address of the offender is not revealed but the zip code in which he or she lives is revealed, along with other information. For some other offenses, the person’s personal information is not revealed (but registration as a sex offender and compliance with all registration requirements is still mandatory).
Failure to register, if required to do so, can be punished by either one year or less in county jail, or by 16 months, 2 years or 3 years in state prison. Because failing to register as a sex offender is a continuing offense, a person may “rack up” multiple violations if he or she continues to fail to register when required to do so under state law. In addition, if the underlying crime which mandated registration is a felony offense, then the failure to register is also a felony and is a strike for purposes of California’s Three Strikes Law.
In short, California’s laws with regard to sex offenders and registration requirements are complex and unforgiving, and the punishment for failure to comply is severe. The experienced Southern California sex crime defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have years of experience handling misdemeanor and felony sex cases, charges related to failing to register as a sex offender, and three strikes cases. The aggressive attorneys at Wallin & Klarich are known for zealously representing their clients in order to provide them with the best defense possible. Call Wallin & Klarich today at (877) 466-5245 or www.wksexcrimes.com for a consultation of your case. We can help you.