Registered Sex Offenders

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990, which mandated sex offender registration, that law enforcement knew where they were living. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders is illegal and such abuse could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to do community notifications. Because sex offenders drive their power through secrecy, the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender.

Washington Sex Offender Public Registry 

National Sex Offender Public Website

What is a registered sex offender?

Sex offenders are juveniles or adults who have been convicted of a Class A, Class B, Class C felony or some gross misdemeanor sex offenses and are required to register for life, fifteen years, and ten years, respectively.

Do offenders have restrictions on where they can live?

It depends on whether the offender is under supervision by the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Rehabilitation, or county probation. If offenders are under supervision, they can have certain limitations or restrictions placed on them by the Department of Corrections or the sentencing court upon their release from incarceration. These may include residency restrictions, not being around children, having a curfew, or not drinking alcohol or taking drugs. If they are found to be in violation of their restrictions, they may be sent back to jail or to prison.

Can convicted sex offender utilize social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram?

It depends on whether the offender is under supervision by the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Rehabilitation, or county probation. If offenders are under supervision, they can have certain limitations or restrictions placed on them by the Department of Corrections or the sentencing court upon their release from incarceration. These may include restrictions on their ability to access social media or other internet sites, though sex offenders generally have the same 1st amendment rights as the general public.

 

What do I do if I see an offender doing something I think is suspicious?

Call your local police department or sheriff’s office and report suspicious activity. It is best to let law enforcement handle the situation rather than taking it into your own hands. You may send information on specific offenders directly to law enforcement by clicking the “submit a tip or correction for this offender” button on the Washington Sex Offender Public Registry.

What about confronting the offender myself?

Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any unlawful actions taken against the individual named in the notification, including vandalism of property, verbal, or written threats of harm, or physical violence against this person, his or her family, or employer, may result in your arrest and prosecution for criminal acts. This information cannot be used in any way to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered offenders. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

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