Joliet  Defense Attorney

Illinois Sex Offender Registration Attorney

If you have been convicted of a crime that requires you to register as a sex offender, it can make your life extremely difficult. Being on the sex offender registration list is a scarlet letter that stays with you for a minimum of ten years, but has the potential to follow you for the rest of your life depending on the severity of the crime for which you were convicted.

In some cases, people can find themselves on the sex offender registration list without even engaging in a sex act. In Illinois, for example, three convictions for public indecency can earn you a spot on the sex offender registration list.  Sex offender registration typically involves being listed on an offender web site, notifying the authorities when you change address and notification of your neighbors when you move. Once you are on the registry, the system makes it nearly impossible for you to start a new life.

Avoid a Conviction. Avoid the Registry

Joliet defense lawyer Steven Haney understands what is at stake in these cases. He also knows that the only way to keep you off the sex offender registration list is to avoid a conviction for a qualifying crime. When you hire our firm, we will conduct a thorough investigation of your case and diligently seek a resolution that protects your future.

If there are flaws in the prosecution’s case, we will use them in our efforts to get the charges dismissed. If the prosecution’s case has merit, we will work to negotiate a plea to a non-sexual offense in order to avoid the sex offender registration list. We will keep you informed at every step and give you our best recommendation about how to proceed. In the end, however, all final decisions will be left up to you.

Get the Representation You Need

Basics of the Illinois Sex Offenders Registration Act – 730 ILCS 150

Which criminal offenses require placement on the Sex Offender Registration List?

Anyone who is convicted of a “sex offense” as defined in 730 ILCS 150/2 (B) is defined as a “sex offender”. Anyone so defined is required to register as a sex offender. The most typical offenses requiring registration include any child pornography offense, any offense for aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

How long is a person required to register?

The duration of registration depends on whether a person is defined as a “sexual predator” or a “sexual offender”. Someone defined as a sexual predator must register for his or her natural life. Someone defined as a sex offender must register for a period of 10 years.

The label of sexual predator or sexual offender will depend on the particular offense for which the person is convicted. Anyone convicted of a child pornography, aggravated criminal sexual assault or abuse, or criminal sexual assault will fall into the predator category and be required to listed on the sex offender registration list for lifetime. By default, a sex offender is a person convicted of a sex offense not statutorily defined as a sexual predator and will be required to register for a 10 year period, not lifetime.

Where, when and how does a person register as a sex offender?

Any person required to be listed on the sex offender registration list must register within 3 days of sentencing. Registration takes place at the local police department of a persons residence. It must be renewed annually. If a persons residence changes, they have 3 days from such change of residence to register at that local police department.

If a person works or attends an institution of higher learning, he or she must register at the local police department for the municipality of that institution as well.

If I am required to register, what happens if I leave town for a short period of time?

In Illinois, if gone from your residence for 3 days or longer, you must register at the local police department of the location where you will be staying. If you are leaving Illinois, your registration requirements will be based upon that particular states registration laws.

What are the prohibited places for a person on the registration list?

Anyone who is required to register as a sex offender cannot:

• be present, or loiter within 500 feet, of any school or property of the school attended by children under the age of 18, including day care facilities,
• be present, or loiter within 500 feet, of any park where children under the age of 18 are present unless the person is with their own child,
• reside within 500 feet of any school attended by children under the age of 18, and reside within 500 feet of a playground or child day care center.

What are the penalties for failing to register as required?

Failure to comply with any of the requirements of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act is a Class 3 felony which is punishable by 2-5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. A second violation is a Class 2 felony punishable by 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Contact us:

Contact our office today for a free initial consultation to discuss your sex offender registration questions and learn more about what we can do to help you. You can reach us by phone at 815-723-5600 or via e-mail. For your convenience, weekend appointments are available.