Sex Offender Registry in Virginia
Each state has its own sex offender registry, and that includes Virginia. This means that if an individual is convicted of a sex crime, they will have to register as a sex offender. The sex offender registry in Virginia is done through the Virginia state police. This requires a person, upon release from incarceration, to register both their home and work address with the police. Also, the individual will have to have their photograph taken. This can greatly impact a person’s life in a negative way.
If a person is required to register as a sex offender, they will remain on the registry for the rest of their life. This is why it is essential for individuals facing allegations of a sex crime to reach out to a seasoned attorney. An experienced sex crimes lawyer could advocate on your behalf throughout the case.
Crimes Requiring Sex Offender Registry
There are many different crimes that require sex offender registry in Virginia. The crimes that may require an individual to register as a sex offender include:
- Rape
- Sodomy
- Sexual battery
- Child pornography
- Anything involving a minor
Not only do these crimes include the convicted individual to register as a sex offender but they may also face severe penalties such as prison time and fines.
Sex Offender Categories in Virginia
There are two different sex offender categories in the Commonwealth of Virginia that is on the sex offender registry, which are a violent sex offender and a nonviolent sex offender. Whether an individual is considered violent or nonviolent depends entirely on the nature of the conviction. Any conviction that involves the use of force or the threat of force, even if the use of force was not necessarily part of the sexual act, can be considered violent.
How Public is the Information on the Sex Offender Registry?
Sex offender registry in Virginia is completely public. Any person with access to the sex offender website can search for offenders within their own zip code, city, or town. When an individual enters a zip code, city, or town on the website, the screen will pop up and show all the people in the area who have been convicted of a sex crime. A person cannot search for someone by name on the website, however, there are many other ways to search for particular people.
Sex Offender Registry Impact on an Individual’s Life
The sex offender registry in Virginia can negatively impact a person’s life. There are many stories of people listed on the sex offender registry being harassed by other citizens who saw their names or faces on it. There is no way to keep secret the fact a person is convicted of a sex crime. If certain individuals see a person’s name or face on the list, then it is possible that it could cause problems in the offender’s personal and professional life.
Any potential employer can find out if a person is a sex offender when they conduct a background check. In this case, the employer will have to decide whether they want to hire the individual based on this information. If you have any questions about the sex offender registry in Virginia and how an attorney could help your situation, reach out to a seasoned defense lawyer today.
