Sex Offender Registration in Washington State
Seattle Sexual Abuse Defense Attorneys
At Rhodes & Meryhew, our lawyers advocate AND counsel. We believe that clients who are informed and who understand what the law is, how the justice system works, and what to expect are better prepared to succeed later on, regardless of how their current problems are resolved. Many of our clients have questions about the sex offender registration process. The following information may be able to provide you with some answers.
By law you must register as a sex offender if you have been convicted of any of the following crimes:
- Rape 1, 2, or 3
- Rape of a Child 1, 2, or 3
- Child Molestation 1, 2, or 3
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor 1 or 2
- Indecent Liberties
- Incest 1 or 2
- Kidnapping 1 or 2
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
- Dealing in Depictions of Minor
- Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Sending, Bringing Into State Depictions of Minor
- Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes
- Patronizing Juvenile Prostitute
- Any felony with a finding of sexual motivation
We believe that the more you know about the charges against you and the criminal justice system, the better you can defend yourself and assist your attorney. To assist you we have gathered information regarding the State and Federal laws that govern sex crimes and domestic violence offenses, the defenses to these crimes, evaluation and treatment resources and a whole lot more.
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The Sex Offender Registration Process
If you are a new resident, a returning resident, a student, or are employed in the state on a temporary basis, you must register within three business days. Most other offenders must register immediately or within 24 hours of their release. All offenders required to register must appear in person at the sheriff’s office in their county of residence and provide the following:
- Name
- Date and Place of Birth
- Address
- Place of Employment/School Attending
- Crime for which Convicted
- Date and Place of Conviction
- Alias(es)
- Social Security Number
At this point, the county sheriff will photograph and fingerprint you and send this information to the State Patrol. While under supervision, you must immediately notify your supervising agency of any changes to your address, phone, or employment situations. If you move or are going to be in another county for more than 24 hours, you must register with the local sheriff's office within 24 hours. If you move, you must also provide anywhere from 10 days to 14 days notice to the sheriff's office in that area before you move.
The requirement to register as a sex offender can be devastating and subject a person to loss of work, friends and housing. The rules for those required to register are complicated and getting more complicated each year. At Rhodes & Meryhew we have successfully defended people against charges of failing to register. But we go one step further when we can.
We also have experience getting the Court to remove the requirement that you register at all. Many of those who have served their sentences and lived a crime free life for a period of time have earned the right to ask the Court to remove the requirement. We have experience in juvenile and adult court in getting these requirements removed.
Sex Offender Registration will set a level of risk, and for those deemed most at risk flyers are sent to the community and your name and picture appear on a web site for your neighbors, employers and others to search. We have successfully convinced the Sheriff to reduce that level for a client, which meant he was removed from the web site and community notification was stopped. If your risk level has been raised by the local police we can help.
Who must register?
Any adult or juvenile residing who has been found to have committed or been convicted of, or found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of, any sex offense or kidnapping offense, who is residing, attending school, working in the State of Washington, whether or not they have a fixed address must register with the local Sheriff. If offenders who must register knowingly fail to register, if they move without notifying the county sheriff, or if they change their name without notifying the county sheriff and the Washington State Patrol, they cam be found guilty of a Class C felony and not only go to jail but have their period of registration extended.
How Long Does Sex Offender Registration Last?
Individuals convicted of a Class 'A' felony can only be relieved of the duty to register by petitioning the superior court of the county in which they were convicted. Individuals convicted of a Class 'B' felony must register for a period of 15 years following their release from confinement and full-time residential treatment. Individuals convicted of a Class 'C' felony must register for 10 years after release from confinement or entry of the sentence.
Call 206-264-1590 for a free consultation or send us an e-mail with a brief description of your situation and concerns.
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