Are you aware of the sex offense laws in Maryland? If not, it’s important to understand them and their impact on the offenders. Being declared a registered sex offender in the state can have lifelong consequences, so you must know how these regulations work.
Here’s a guide on what makes you a registered sex offender in Maryland.
Understanding the Maryland Sex Offender Registry
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is a database maintained by the state of Maryland that records information on convicted sex offenders. It is an important tool for law enforcement and other agencies to monitor and track individuals convicted of sexual offenses in the state.
The registry contains information on all registered sex offenders in Maryland, including:
- Name
- Address
- Place of employment
- Physical description
- Photograph
- Vehicle information
- Criminal history
- Details about specific offenses committed
- Jurisdiction of conviction
Law enforcement personnel use the registry to track sex offenders and ensure they follow all applicable laws — one of the primary reasons they make you register as a sex offender.
Additionally, it provides civilians with access to information about registered offenders in their neighborhoods, so they can stay informed and take necessary safety precautions. The registry is regularly updated as new convictions occur or changes are made in individuals’ records.
What Crimes Can Put You on The Sex Offender List?
There are different types of crimes that qualify for registration on the Sex Offender Registry, categorized into three tiers:
- Tier I: Sex offenses in the least serious category: misdemeanors such as Fourth Degree Sexual Offense, Visual Surveillance of a minor with Prurient Intent (“Peeping Tom”), possession of child pornography, and similar crimes from other jurisdictions.
- Tier II: Sex offenses considered more severe than Tier I: felonies such as Third Degree Sexual Offense, distribution of child pornography, sexual solicitation of a minor, soliciting prostitution with a minor, and similar crimes from other jurisdictions.
- Tier III: Sex offenses considered the most serious: felonies such as rape, incest, kidnapping, and child molestation, and similar crimes from other jurisdictions.
Regardless of what crimes put you on the sex offender list, failure to abide by all state laws regarding registration as a sex offender can quickly lead to new criminal charges. Please do so to avoid further legal action being taken against you.
It’s important for anyone who is required to register on the Sex Offender Registry to stay informed and remain compliant with all applicable rules and regulations. Knowing your rights and the requirements of being registered as a sex offender can help you avoid any additional legal complications.
Consequences of Becoming a Sex Offender in Maryland
In Maryland, those convicted of a sex offense are labeled “sex offenders” and have various consequences. Some of the most common include:
- Registration on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry: People convicted of a sex offense in Maryland must register with the state’s sex offender registry. This requires them to provide personal information about themselves, and then make it available to the public.
- Monitoring Requirements: Those on the registry must also comply with monitoring requirements such as GPS tracking or regular check-ins at designated locations.
- Restrictions on Where They Can Live: In some cases, people on the registry may be banned from living near schools, parks, daycare centers, or other places where children are likely to congregate.
- Employment Restrictions: Many employers are unwilling to hire people who have been convicted of offenses that require registration.
- Loss of Professional Licensure: People on the registry may also face consequences related to their professional licensure. Depending on the profession and severity of the offense, they may lose their license entirely or have it suspended for a period.
- Severe Social Stigma: Finally, people registered as sex offenders often experience severe social stigma. This can make it difficult for them to find employment or housing and lead to feelings of isolation and depression.
What Happens After You Become a Registered Sex Offender in Maryland
Registrants of the Sex Offender Registry in Maryland must follow several duties. It is important to know these regulations and to comply with them to avoid criminal repercussions.
First, registrants must register within three days of their sentence, or upon release from jail. They must update their information whenever any changes occur (such as a change in address, employment, new vehicle, new email address, phone number, social media profile, etc.).
Any time an individual plans to leave the country or visit another state for more than 5 days, the person must provide written notice. This notice should include all pertinent details about the trip, including destination, period of absence, and purpose.
Registrants are prohibited from entering schools, daycare facilities, and even colleges unless enrolled as a student or employed at the college.
Failure to comply with any of these duties may result in criminal charges or other legal action against the registrant. All registrants must understand and abide by their obligations under Maryland’s laws governing sex offender registry. By doing so, they can avoid serious complications resulting from non-compliance.
Consult a Maryland Attorney After Getting Registered in the Sex Offender Registry
Being listed on the sex offender registry in Maryland can have damaging and long-lasting implications. When faced with a criminal charge of a sex offense-related crime, it is important to be aware of the serious and drastic consequences of a conviction.
With experienced attorneys at Jezic & Moyse, LLC., your legal situation can be navigated and successfully challenged. To help secure the best possible outcome, let us guide you through each step of the undertaking before appearing in court. Contact us today for further information on how we can protect your rights and freedoms as someone facing being put on this registry.