Something SpotCrime Doesn't Provide: Sex Offender Information
SpotCrime hasn’t tackled the task of figuring out how to compile and represent sex offender information and locations on our site just yet. It’s a request we see from users, however, it’s not something we plan on covering in the near future. Instead, we plan to keep focus on the best ways to deliver crime information to you (for example, our new Android App!)
We have compiled a list that has each state’s searchable registry for those who are interested. Check it out by clicking on a state below. Each link leads you to that specific states' searchable sex offender database.
Who is Adam Walsh?
Although there’s no sign Adam Walsh was sexually assaulted after he was kidnapped from a department store, the 6 year old was murdered and decapitated by serial killer Ottis Toole in 1981. Son of John Walsh, best known for his role on America’s Most wanted after Adam’s death, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was signed into law in 2006. It was created to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crime and requires a national database of child molesters, increases penalties for sexual and violent offenses against children, and creates a RICO cause of action for child predators and those who conspire with them.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | Wyoming
How Does the US Sex Offender Registry Work?
Megan’s Law is the law from New Jersey that helped kick off a nationwide movement for sex offender registration databases and community notification. Each state in the US has a law in place that requires sex offenders to register with a database upheld by law enforcement. The laws may vary state to state, but they typically require in addition to a database, a community notification system for sex offenders moving into a neighborhood. Prior to Megan’s Law, there was no law requiring community notification of sex offenders, however, there was the Jacob Wetterling Act which was formed in 1994 (the Act required a only a sex offender registry database, not a community notification). The first state to pass a sex offender registry law was California, almost 50 years before Megan’s Law in 1947.
Megan’s Law is the law from New Jersey that helped kick off a nationwide movement for sex offender registration databases and community notification. Each state in the US has a law in place that requires sex offenders to register with a database upheld by law enforcement. The laws may vary state to state, but they typically require in addition to a database, a community notification system for sex offenders moving into a neighborhood. Prior to Megan’s Law, there was no law requiring community notification of sex offenders, however, there was the Jacob Wetterling Act which was formed in 1994 (the Act required a only a sex offender registry database, not a community notification). The first state to pass a sex offender registry law was California, almost 50 years before Megan’s Law in 1947.
What information is on the Sex Offender Registry?
Each state decides what information about offenders will be made available. Most states publish information like name, address, charges of the offender, jobs, and a picture. Some states choose to only list the more severe level offenders, some states choose to list all level offenders.
What are the requirements of registering as a sex offender?
Sex offender laws require persons convicted of sex crimes to notify local law enforcement of any change of address or employment. The laws also include the punishment of life in prison for any repeat offenders.
How long do offenders stay on the sex offender registry?
Offenders can stay on the registry for a fixed period of time or permanently. In the case of repeat offenders, they can be sentenced to life in prison.
What happens if a sex offender doesn’t register?
In most states, it’s a felony to fail to register or notify police agencies of new or updated information.
Who is Megan?
Megan Kanka, a 7 year old from Hamilton Twp, NJ was raped and murdered by her neighbor, Jesse Timmendequas in 1994. Timmendequas had two previous convictions for sexually assaulting young girls before Megan’s assault and murder. Her murder led to the introduction of ‘Megan’s Law’. Although New Jersey wasn't the first state to enact some sort of sex offender registry law, New Jersey was the first state in enact a 'Megan’s Law' which required a community notification system.
Each state decides what information about offenders will be made available. Most states publish information like name, address, charges of the offender, jobs, and a picture. Some states choose to only list the more severe level offenders, some states choose to list all level offenders.
What are the requirements of registering as a sex offender?
Sex offender laws require persons convicted of sex crimes to notify local law enforcement of any change of address or employment. The laws also include the punishment of life in prison for any repeat offenders.
How long do offenders stay on the sex offender registry?
Offenders can stay on the registry for a fixed period of time or permanently. In the case of repeat offenders, they can be sentenced to life in prison.
What happens if a sex offender doesn’t register?
In most states, it’s a felony to fail to register or notify police agencies of new or updated information.
Who is Megan?
Megan Kanka, a 7 year old from Hamilton Twp, NJ was raped and murdered by her neighbor, Jesse Timmendequas in 1994. Timmendequas had two previous convictions for sexually assaulting young girls before Megan’s assault and murder. Her murder led to the introduction of ‘Megan’s Law’. Although New Jersey wasn't the first state to enact some sort of sex offender registry law, New Jersey was the first state in enact a 'Megan’s Law' which required a community notification system.
Who is Jacob Wetterling?
Jacob Wetterling was abducted in 1989 and has never been found. His kidnapping has been linked to another boy's abduction and sexual assault, but the investigation is still on-going even today. After Wetterling's disappearance, the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act was passed in 1994. It requires states to implement a sex offender crimes against children registry. The act helped to pass and develop Megan's Law.
Who is Jessica Lunsford?
Jessica Lunsford was a 12 year old from Florida who was sexually battered and murdered in 2005 by John Couey, a repeat sex offender. Jessica’s murder led to the creation of Jessica’s Law, a Florida law designed to protect potential victims by reducing a sex offender's ability to re-offend. The Jessica Lunsford Act was also created to facilitate background screening and the development of a system to allow the sharing of certain criminal history among school districts. Forty-two other states have enacted a similar law since Jessica’s Law was signed in 2005.
Jessica Lunsford was a 12 year old from Florida who was sexually battered and murdered in 2005 by John Couey, a repeat sex offender. Jessica’s murder led to the creation of Jessica’s Law, a Florida law designed to protect potential victims by reducing a sex offender's ability to re-offend. The Jessica Lunsford Act was also created to facilitate background screening and the development of a system to allow the sharing of certain criminal history among school districts. Forty-two other states have enacted a similar law since Jessica’s Law was signed in 2005.
Who is Adam Walsh?
Although there’s no sign Adam Walsh was sexually assaulted after he was kidnapped from a department store, the 6 year old was murdered and decapitated by serial killer Ottis Toole in 1981. Son of John Walsh, best known for his role on America’s Most wanted after Adam’s death, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was signed into law in 2006. It was created to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crime and requires a national database of child molesters, increases penalties for sexual and violent offenses against children, and creates a RICO cause of action for child predators and those who conspire with them.
Who is Sarah Payne?
The US isn’t the only country with sex offender registries and laws in place. Roy Whiting was found guilty for killing 7 year old Sarah Payne in the United Kingdom in 2000. In addition to Sarah’s murder, Whiting was found guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting an eight year old girl. The concept of Sarah’s Law is similar to the US version of Megan’s Law. It requires a national database of sex offenders to be updated and made available to the public. In 2010, the Home Office announced that the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, influenced by Sarah's Law, would be extended to cover all of England and Wales. Check out Wikipedia for more information about sex offender registration in other countries.
The US isn’t the only country with sex offender registries and laws in place. Roy Whiting was found guilty for killing 7 year old Sarah Payne in the United Kingdom in 2000. In addition to Sarah’s murder, Whiting was found guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting an eight year old girl. The concept of Sarah’s Law is similar to the US version of Megan’s Law. It requires a national database of sex offenders to be updated and made available to the public. In 2010, the Home Office announced that the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, influenced by Sarah's Law, would be extended to cover all of England and Wales. Check out Wikipedia for more information about sex offender registration in other countries.
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