Do Neighbors and Employers Have to Know If You Are on the California Sex Offender Registry?

Posted on: August 13th, 2023 by paul@socialbrandconnector.com

When you have had a criminal conviction for a sex offense, your name will be placed in the California sex offender registry. In California, these charges are taken very seriously, and the conviction could remain on your record forever. However, this also leaves you in a predicament of not knowing whether you are obligated by law to notify your neighbors or your employer. The fact is you are not obligated to notify anyone of this fact. However, this does not mean they cannot find out your status on their own.

If you have been registered on the sex offender registry and want to know your rights, reach out to us at Dod Law, APC today. We will help you understand your case and will work with you every step of the way to ensure your rights are protected.

NEIGHBORS AND CALIFORNIA SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

In 1996, new legislation called Megan’s Law required a public registry of all sex offenders. While there are occasionally mistakes in identity, anyone convicted of a sexual offense has their name registered in the offender’s database. Any person (in any state) is free to use this database to establish whether a neighborhood has any registered sex offenders. It is believed this helps neighbors stay safe and protects people in the neighborhood. Information in the database is not allowed to be used for the purposes of harassment.

This does not mean that someone must notify their neighbors. Although, in some cases, these charges are often public and therefore neighbors may be aware that charges were pending and will follow the case, resulting in their knowing your status. Otherwise, you are under no obligation to disclose your status, nor can a landlord refuse you housing based on the fact that your name is in the database.

EMPLOYERS AND CALIFORNIA SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

Your employer does not have to be told that you are listed in a sex offender registry unless there is reason to believe that you are working in a position which puts you in contact with vulnerable populations. This may include hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers, and schools. However, if you are applying for a position, an employer may not ask you if you have been convicted of a crime unless you are applying for one of the above positions.

Those who have been told to register in the California sex offender registry and are on probation may be informed by their probation officer that they must notify their employer. This may be a condition of their probation or parole and therefore the employer must be notified.

CALIFORNIA SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Any person who is found guilty of a crime under California Penal Code Section 290 is required to register with their local law enforcement division following their conviction, or their release from jail within five days. On an annual basis thereafter, the offender must appear and have their information updated including any aliases used, their current address, and their current employer.

Conviction for serious crimes including sexual battery, child pornography, rape, child molestation, and lesser crimes, including indecent exposure, can mean someone has to register as a sex offender. The length of time someone remains in the database depends on the level of crime for which they were convicted.

Anyone who is charged with any type of sexual offense should immediately contact a criminal defense lawyer to help fight against these charges. This can help ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

HIRING THE RIGHT CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

If you are potentially facing a conviction or registration as a sex offender in California, contact Dod Law, APC immediately. We have over 19 years of experience, and until a conviction is final, there may be options for fighting back against the charges you are facing.

If you are currently facing charges for a California sexual offense, your immediate concern should be finding a lawyer who will defend you against the charges. It may still be possible to avoid registering as a sex offender if we can get a not guilty verdict, or have the case dismissed. Contact us online immediately or call us at (619) 814-5110 to get a free case evaluation today. Let us help you avoid having your name in the California sex offender registry.