Fairfax Sex Offender Registry
If convicted of a sex crime in Fairfax, Virginia you will not only be subject to fines and jail time, but also registration on the sex offender registry. Below, a Fairfax sex crimes lawyer discusses this registry and the far reaching consequences of being registered as a sex offender in Virginia.
In order to avoid being placed on the sex offender registry, it is important you consult with a sex crimes attorney who can put forth the strongest defense possible to ensure that your charges are minimized as much as possible. To learn more about the sex offender registry call and schedule a free consultation today.
The Sex Offender Registry
The sex offender registry is a searchable database that exists in every state that can be accessed by anyone. If you’re convicted of certain sex crimes, it is required that you put your name in the database, as it informs the public of where you’re living at that time. Usually it is a requirement that you be on it for the rest of your life.
A person may be required to register if they are convicted of any sex crime including:
- Child pornography
- Rape
- Sex abuse
- Sexual assault
- And more
How to Determine Whether or Not You Are Required To Register As a Sex Offender
The Virginia legislature has designated a list of crimes for which, if you’re convicted, you must be on the sex offender registry. That list is determined by the state legislature and is published in the Virginia Code and it will be a condition of any probation or parole that you might receive if you’re convicted of one or more of the qualifying crimes.
How Long An Individual Stays on the Sex Offender Registry
They need to stay on the registry for the rest of their natural life as long as they are living in the United States.
How Being Listed As a Sex Offender Can Affect Someone’s Life
Being listed on the sex offender registry can affect your life because now your neighbors or whoever else looks at the registry will know what crime you committed, even it was many years ago, which can be an uncomfortable situation to be in. In some situations being registered can also hurt future employment options.
Additionally, when your name is placed on the sex offender registry, you have to be on it forever, and even if you do something that causes you to be on a registry at the age of 18, you still have to be on the list even when you’re 50 or 60 years old. That’s a staggering amount of time, and it’s one of the biggest reasons to speak with an experienced sex crimes lawyer as soon as you receive charges.
