8 Crimes that Require Sex Offender Registration
Florida defines a sexual predator as someone previously convicted of a sexually violent crime. Sexual predators must register as sex offenders in Florida.
This consequence impacts where you can live, what jobs you can have, and other areas of your life. This may motivate you to fight your charges rather than accept a guilty plea. Our Tampa sex crimes lawyers offer free consultations and are available to discuss the details of your case.
Florida Sex Offender Registration Laws
After release from jail or prison, you must register with your local law enforcement agency. Your name, photos, crime, and other personal information will be part of the public sex offender list. Failing to register could result in a third-degree felony charge.
Crimes That Require You to Register as a Sex Offender
Several charges require those convicted to register as sex offenders after they serve their sentence. These include:
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- Kidnapping or false imprisonment of a child younger than 13: There doesn’t need to be any sexual contact with the child
- Luring or enticing a child: If you’re 18+ years old and intentionally lure or entice, or attempt to lure or entice, a child under the age of 12 into a structure, dwelling, or conveyance, for an unlawful, though not necessarily sexual, purpose
- Racketeering or illegal debts: Collecting income from crimes that are part of the definition of sexual predator or making illegal loans to those who commit them can qualify you for the sex offender registry.
- Human trafficking: When victims are forced into the commercial sex trade
- Child pornography charges
- Involvement in prostitution of a minor
- Sexual misconduct: The alleged acts don’t have to involve physical touching
- Sexual battery
Someone as young as 14 could qualify for the registration if they’re adjudicated delinquent due to sex-related charges.
Can I Ever Get Removed from Sex Offender Registration?
A registered sexual offender will be on the list for life unless they’ve received a full pardon or post-conviction relief for their offense. You can’t ask a court to be removed from the registry under Florida law.
You can ask a judge to remove you from the sex offender registry if:
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- 25 years have passed
- You have not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor
- Your original charge didn’t include specific crimes, such as kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual battery, and sex-related crimes involving minors and the elderly, among other crimes
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The judge may grant or deny your request. Even after your death, you may remain on the registry for a year afterward. This time is intended to give alleged victims, the community, and local law enforcement time to be notified.
Sexual Predator vs. Sex Offender: What’s the Difference?
Sexual Predator
A sexual predator is typically someone who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense or multiple aggravated sexual assaults or abuses. According to federal law, individuals convicted of the most serious sex crimes, such as aggravated kidnapping involving sexual acts, child pornography, or human trafficking, may be classified as sexual predators. Additionally, a person convicted of aggravated sexual abuse or sexual battery involving force or threat may fall under this designation.
Florida law requires sexual predators to comply with stricter registration requirements. This includes lifetime registration, meaning the person must re-register with local law enforcement officials every three months and keep their residential address and other sex offender information up to date. The federal government and local law enforcement agencies also closely monitor sexual predators due to the high risk they are perceived to pose to the community. Sexual predators often face greater restrictions on where they can live and work, as well as more frequent communication with law enforcement to ensure compliance.
Sex Offender
A sex offender, on the other hand, is a broader designation applied to individuals convicted of various sex crimes, some of which may not involve sexual violence or physical contact with the victim. Crimes that require sex offender registration in Florida include lewd acts or indecent exposure, sexual contact with a minor, public indecency, and other sexual misconduct that doesn’t rise to the level of a sexually violent offense. For instance, someone convicted of child pornography possession or luring a child younger than 13 into a dangerous situation may be required to register as a sex offender.
Unlike sexual predators, sex offenders may only need to re-register with local law enforcement agencies once or twice a year. While the registration process is still mandatory, the restrictions they face may not be as severe as those for sexual predators. However, sex offenders still experience significant limitations in terms of where they can live and work, and their information is made available on the public sex offender registry.
Registration Requirements for Both
Both sexual predators and sex offenders are required to provide detailed personal information as part of the offender registration process. This includes their name, residential address, physical description, and details of their offense. Failing to comply with registration requirements can result in felony offenses and additional penalties.
How Classification Affects Your Life
Whether someone is designated a sexual predator or sex offender, the offender registration requirements have a lasting impact on their lives. Convicted sex offenders face restrictions on where they can live and work, especially near schools, parks, and other places where children may gather. Additionally, being on the sex offender registry can significantly affect their employment opportunities and social relationships, making reintegration into society challenging.
If you or someone you know is facing sex crime charges, it’s crucial to understand how Florida’s laws will classify the offense and what the potential consequences will be. Consulting with an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and understand your options.
This distinction between sexual predators and sex offenders highlights the varying degrees of legal consequences tied to different types of sex offenses and the importance of complying with sex offender registration laws.
Contact a Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Tampa
Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A., is a dedicated, experienced Tampa criminal attorney who defends and protects the rights of those charged with sex crimes. He understands the consequences of a conviction and will work hard to get you the best outcome possible.
Get a free initial case review using our contact form or by calling 813-258-4800 today.