Sex offender registration in North Carolina part 2

This blog explores sex offender registration further. To read Sex Offender Registration in North Carolina, Part 1, click here

Timeframe in which someone must remain registered

• Sex offender registration is typically for life or for a period of thirty years, but the offender can petition a North Carolina Superior Court to remove oneself from the list after ten years.

The Court may grant this relief if:

• In the preceding ten years there have been no further reportable convictions,
• There is no current pending arrest/charge for a reportable conviction, and
• The court is satisfied that the individual is not a threat to public safety.

*** This does not apply to the sexually violent predator registration program which we have a separate blog on.

Typically, someone who has re-offended with regards to reportable crimes, will end up on the sex offender registry for their entire lifetime.

Examples of reportable convictions

Most sex-based crimes are considered reportable.  Below are just a few examples, for a more complete list click here.

• Misdemeanor sexual battery
• Forcible rape
• Forcible sex offense
• Felony indecent exposure
• Indecent liberties with a minor
• Statutory rape
• Solicitation of a child by a computer

Restrictions associated with the sex offender registry

In addition to reporting requirements, there are several other consequences to being on the sex offender registry included but not limited to:

• A registered sex offender is not allowed to live within 1,000 feet of a school or a child care facility
• A registered sex offender is not allowed to work or volunteer for activities involving children
• A registered sex offender is not allowed to be on premises primarily used for the care or supervision of minors
• A registered sex offender is not allowed to visit any place where minors frequently congregate such as libraries, arcades, amusement parks, recreation parks, and swimming pools when minors are present.
• A registered sex offender cannot get a commercial driver’s license with a P or S endorsement

Registration of juvenile offenders

Typically, juvenile criminal offenders face much less serious consequences than adult offenders.  With regard to the sex offender registration, however; it is possible that a juvenile would be required to register.

Requirements for juvenile registration

Only certain crimes apply, such as rape, or attempted rape, but a juvenile may be required to register if he or she is convicted of one of the qualifying crimes and a judge finds that the child is a danger to the community.  These rules are governed by North Carolina General Statute 14-208.26.

Different from adult sex offender registration

Unlike the adult sex offender registry, the juvenile sex offender registry is not a matter of public record. It is only available to law enforcement and local school boards.

Sex offender monitoring

Under certain circumstances the court may require a registered sex offender to submit oneself to satellite-based monitoring, so that his location can always be readily available to law enforcement.  We discuss this in detail in our sex offender monitoring blog.

Criminal convictions have serious consequences that often far exceed the severity of the jail or prison sentence that is assessed.  Sex crimes in particular fall into that category.  If you or someone you know has been charged with a sex crime, contact us immediately to speak to a criminal defense lawyer.  At Gilles Law, we handle sex crimes and other criminal charges in North Carolina as well as handle criminal defense in South Carolina and Federal criminal defense.