If successful, certain offenders would no longer have to register for life.
Under current California law, if a person is convicted of a specific sex offense, he or she must register for life upon leaving prison. This means that the person has to provide fingerprints, photographs, addresses, the names of employers and license plate numbers to the Department of Justice. The state then makes information on most registered sex offenders available online, except for juvenile offenders and those convicted of incest. Sex offenders are required to register with the state annually, filling out burdensome paperwork on where they live and work — which also requires local authorities to spend a large amount of time processing this paperwork.
A new movement is hoping to change the way that California’s sex offender registry works, led by criminal justice leaders such as the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the California Police Chiefs Association, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the American Civil Liberties Union and Equality California. The group has won approval from the state Senate for a proposal that would allow the removal from the registry of those who committed low level, nonviolent sex crimes, or who are judged to be at low risk to reoffend. This removal would occur after a period of 10 to 20 years.
California is one of just four states that requires lifetime sex offender registration. People can be required to register for a variety of reasons, from getting caught as a gay man having sex in public in decades past, or being convicted of statutory rape as an 18 year old for having sex with your 17 year old boyfriend or girlfriend. Offenders could also be on the list for violent sexual crimes, such as forcible rape.
The proposed legislation would created three separate tiers for sexual crimes. The first tier would include the less serious criminal offenses, such as misdemeanor indecent exposure and misdemeanor sexual battery. Offenders would be eligible for removal after 10 years. The second tier would allow for removal after 20 years. It would include more serious crimes, such as rape and forcible sodomy. The third tier would require lifetime registration, and would include crimes such as repeat child molestation, a second offense of a violent sexual crime, and anyone deemed a sexually violent predator. The bill would also clear anyone who is currently in the registry whose conviction is 30 years old or older.
This bill has received significant opposition from those who state that the registration requirement should not be reduced and that Californians should know if a sex offender is living near them.
As a skilled California sex offense defense lawyers, we understand how even an accusation of a sex crime can damage someone’s life. That is why we aggressively defend our clients against sex offense charges. No matter what happens with this bill, the best way to avoid being on the sex offender registry is to have a top notch California sex offense defense lawyer to represent you. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation today and learn how we can help to defend your rights.
