No matter what you may or may not have done, you are innocent of a crime until proven guilty and the government has the burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  There are consequences of criminal convictions that go beyond just prison time and fines, and that is why, whenever possible, you should hire an attorney and defend yourself when you have been charged with a crime.

One of those consequences one may worry about is the likely outcome if you are convicted of a sex offense in South Carolina.  It can lead to registration on the sex offender registry, which can be detrimental to your life.  In this blog, we will discuss some of the consequences of being a registered sex offender in South Carolina.  Like all of our blogs, this is intended for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for the advice and counsel of a criminal defense attorney.

How long does someone have to stay registered?

In South Carolina, unlike North Carolina, sex offender registry is for life.   In most circumstances, it has to be done every 6 months, and in some special circumstances, offenders may be required to register every 90 days.

Public access to the sex offender registry

The information on the sex offender registry is open to the general public, through the county sheriff. Anyone seeking the information can get access to the offender’s name, physical characteristics, aliases, home address, and other information.  Someone can even get a photograph of the offender.

Special requirements for child sex offenders

In South Carolina, if a child who is under the age of 12 and is found guilty a crime that requires registration on the sex offender registry, that child must be ordered to be given appropriate psychiatric or psychological treatment to address the circumstances of the offense.

Electronic monitoring of certain sex offenders

Under certain circumstances, such as a conviction of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree, there can be an additional requirement other than registration once that person gets out of prison.  That requirement is satellite-based monitoring. Satellite-based monitoring allows a law enforcement officer to know where you are at all times because an ankle monitor will be attached to you and must be kept on and functioning.

Limitations on where a sex offender can live

Someone who is on the sex offender registry in South Carolina cannot legally live within certain distances of certain places, including but not limited to:

• Children’s recreational facilities
• Day care centers
• Schools

If you have been charged with a crime in South Carolina, contact us. We handle criminal charges in York, South Carolina and the surrounding areas.