Sex offender status in America is nothing easy to come by, and usually isn’t something that is handed out lightly. Throughout history, there have certainly bee cases where it has later been proven with hard evidence that things may not have happened — but that isn’t always the case. For purposes of this article, we’re referencing modern sex offenders and their statuses and how it works in the decade(s) in which we have lived and now live within.
Sex offender registries back in the day and what not likely were significantly different (pre-dating 1990 and beyond.)
Sex offender status in America (in most places and states) is defined usually by three or so levels. Level 1; 2, and 3 (3 obviously being the highest.)
According to (using this as an example because its in one of the city’s I called home) Level 1 Status is legally defined as someone whom the courts deem a low-risk and likely won’t offend again. This level offender generally can have custody of children, and likely will not have their children taken away.
Throughout America, Level 2 & 3 sex offenders must register for life. There is no getting off of the registry at those levels (except rare circumstances or the very few places where such is permitted.)
I wrote this article because there seems to be allot of confusion and misinformation going around about how one’s life is going to be once they are placed on the registry.
Level 2 is defined as someone who *might* offend again. As deemed by the court system in the U.S, this type of offender likely won’t have custody of their kids and may find that it is very difficult to maintain any form of custody without supervised visits. Although it must be noted with this type of offender: They can also not live within 1k feet of a school; go anywhere near where children congregate, and actually have to ask permission to use the internet.
*It must also be noted that in places like New York, after 30 years a sex offender can petition the court system for relief of sex offender status and ask to be removed (so long as these requirements are met.)
Example: A level 2 sex offender who has not received a designation of sexual predator, sexually violent offender or predicate sex offender, who has been registered for a minimum period of thirty years, may be relieved of any further duty to register upon the granting of a petition for relief by the sentencing court or the court which made the determination regarding duration of registration and level of notification. Correction Law §168-o(1) sets forth the procedures to follow when a level 2 sex offender who has been registered for a minimum of 30 years wishes to file a petition for relief from registration [NY State Penal Code/Criminal Justice System.] [I referenced NYC because that happens to be where I have one of my apartments.]
The national standards in America which set out the guidelines for the sex offender registry can be found here: click.
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