Felony charges for failing to update sex offender registry
Rules governing sex offender registration are strictly enforced across the state of Pennsylvania. I recently read a story about a man in Reading who now faces felony charges for failing to re-register as a convicted sex offender. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the man allegedly neglected to notify the police after he lost his job. In Pennsylvania, a person who is required to register as a sex offender in Pennsylvania must alert state police within 48 hours of any change in a work or home address. It’s very similar to probation in that regard. Sex offender registration laws have undergone numerous changes, including the recent enactment of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, also known as SORNA. SORNA establishes the minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification. To accomplish this, SORNA guides states in implementing a number of requirements. SORNA requires that when someone initially registers or updates his or her information, the information is immediately sent to other jurisdictions where he or she needs to register as well. Additionally, that information is sent to the local public sex offender registry website. This requirement insures that all records are complete and up-to-date. If someone has been incarcerated within the jurisdiction where he or she will have to register, SORNA requires registration to occur before release. Also, if a person is sentenced but not incarcerated, registration is supposed to occur within three business days. In addition, when the conviction, sentencing or incarceration happens somewhere else, that person must register within three business days of finding a place to live, to work or to attend school within the jurisdiction. Further, SORNA also requires the jurisdiction to provide all information regarding registration duties and collect an acknowledgment in writing that the person understands those duties during the initial registration process. It is very important to always report any change of information as soon as possible. SORNA requires that the information remains up-to-date. A person must immediately update the following information in person: change of name, residence, employment, school attendance or termination of residence. SORNA also requires email addresses, telephone numbers and vehicle information to remain current. In addition, the law also requires a person to alert his or her jurisdiction at least 21 days in advance of any travel to another country. With all of these requirements, it’s important for those who are dealing with sex offender registration to be well-aware of their rights and obligations. The criminal consequences for failing to register or keep the registered information up-to-date can be severe. If an individual has been charged with failing to register or failing to update his or her information, it is crucial to contact a criminal defense attorney. A capable criminal defense lawyer may be able to help make sure that a person’s rights have been protected. If you have questions about sex registry errors and offences, call Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney Gary Gerson today for a free consultation at 412-219-6875.
