When does someone have to register as a Sex Offender?
by
Raymond George Wigell on Jan. 23, 2020
Criminal Felony Criminal Misdemeanor
Summary: In Illinois, convictions for sex offenses can have many devastating consequences.
In Illinois, convictions for sex offenses can have many devastating consequences. An individual convicted of a sex crime must register as a sex offender. In some instances, a person convicted of a sex offense must register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years. In other instances, a person may have to register as a sex offender for their natural life. There are various parameters within the law that determine who has to register as a sex offender. The following offenses are classified as “sex offenses” in Illinois:
- criminal sexual assault
- aggravated criminal sexual assault
- predatory criminal sexual assault of a child
- criminal sexual abuse
- aggravated criminal sexual abuse
- child pornography
- aggravated child pornography
- Distribution of child pornography
- Manufacturing of child pornography
- indecent solicitation of a child
- sexual exploitation of a child
- custodial sexual misconduct
- sexual misconduct with a person with a disability
- promoting juvenile prostitution
- soliciting for a juvenile prostitute
- patronizing a juvenile prostitute
- keeping a place of juvenile prostitution
- juvenile pimping
- exploitation of a child
- grooming
- traveling to meet a minor
- ritualized abuse of a child
- Indecent Solicitation of an Adult
- Soliciting for a Prostitute, if the victim is under age 18
- An Attempt to commit any of these offenses
Under Illinois law, a person has to register as a sex offender for natural life if they are classified as a “sexual predator.” A person is classified as a “sexual predator” if they are convicted of one of the following offenses:
- luring of a minor
- keeping a place of juvenile prostitution
- juvenile pimping
- exploitation of a child
- child pornography
- aggravated child pornography
- Distribution of child pornography
- Manufacturing of child pornography
- criminal sexual assault
- aggravated criminal sexual assault
- predatory criminal sexual assault of a child
- aggravated criminal sexual abuse
- ritualized abuse of a child
- sexual misconduct with a person with a disability
- An Attempt to commit any of these offenses
It should also be noted that the following offenses could also result in a classification as a sexual predator with a lifetime sex offender registration requirement if the alleged victim was under 18 years old and the court makes a finding that the offenses were sexually motivated:
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated Kidnapping,
- Unlawful Restraint
- Aggravated Unlawful Restraint
Once someone is convicted of any of the aforementioned crimes, they are immediately classified as a “sexual predator” and are required by the Sex Offender Registration Act (730 ILCS 150/1) to register for natural life. If a person is convicted or pleads guilty to any of the other type of sex offense where the person is not classified as a “sexual predator”, then that person has to register for a period of 10 years. The following sex offenses require an individual to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years:
- grooming
- traveling to meet a minor
- indecent solicitation of a child
- criminal sexual abuse
- custodial sexual misconduct
- Indecent Solicitation of an Adult
- Soliciting for a Prostitute, if the victim is under age 18
- promoting juvenile prostitution
- soliciting for a juvenile prostitute
- patronizing a juvenile prostitute
- An Attempt to commit any of these offenses
Registering as a sex offender on either the 10 year or lifetime registry requires a person to register in the area they are living with their local police department. This registry is readily available to the public and this information is readily accessible to potential employers. Every time a person relocates their residence, they are required to notify the police department of their change of address within 3 days. The person also has to submit fingerprints, DNA and a current photograph for display on the registry.
Additionally, if a person is classified as a “child sex offender,” That person is not allowed to reside within at least 500 feet of a school, park or other mandated areas where children may regularly congregate. A person is given the classification of child sex offender when they are convicted of a sex crime involving a victim under the age of 18.
When a person is charged with a sex crime, it is important for that person to know the ramifications of a conviction or plea of guilty that a sex crime entails. It is also very important that the person hires an attorney with the experience and knowledge of the law involving sex crimes. The potential consequences with these types of charges and convictions can be life-altering. It is imperative to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney when charged with a sex crime. Wigell Law Group has 42 plus years of experience defending sex crimes and has achieved extraordinary results in representing hundreds of clients charged with these serious offenses. If you or someone you know is charged with a sex crime, don’t hesitate to contact Wigell Law Group, we are here to help.
