Few criminal charges have the same impact on a person’s personal and professional life as a sex crime conviction. Aside from the jail time and fines, sex offenders are also subject to strict registration and housing regulations.
In California, Proposition 83 (or Jessica’s Law) requires that people on the sex offender registry must live within a set distance of schools and parks where children tend to congregate.
1. You Can’t Work With Children
In California, sex offenders are prohibited from working with children in a professional capacity. This includes jobs such as teaching, childcare, and medicine. Those who work in private settings such as homes are also prohibited from working with children. This is because of the risk of children being abused by these offenders. It is also important to note that sex offenders are not required by law to tell their neighbors about their status, although the state does document their information online via Megan’s law website. Residents of California can input their address into the website to find out if a criminal stays within their neighborhood.
In addition, sex offenders are not allowed to live within 2,000 feet of schools or parks. This is because of the risk that they may commit a sexual offense against children. The exception is for those who are on parole or probation and who must report to a local law enforcement agency on a regular basis.
In addition, sex offenders are only allowed to travel domestically or internationally if they have received permission from their probation officer or parole agent. If they have not been granted permission, they will be in violation of their parole or probation. This could result in a revocation of their parole or probation and a return to jail or prison.
2. You Can’t Live With Children
If you are on probation or parole for a sex crime, living with children is an absolute no-go. Whether you are convicted of incest, oral copulation, or another sexual offense, your conviction prevents you from living with children under any circumstances. If you are unsure if this includes your family or other close relationships, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to get the full details.
Depending on your conviction and the severity of it, you may also be restricted from living near schools and parks as part of your parole or probation conditions. This is an attempt to protect the safety of kids who may be targeted by sex offenders who are out on parole or probation. These restrictions are not as strict as Jessica’s Law, which prohibited sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of public and private schools, parks, or other areas where children regularly gather.
If you are a registered sex offender in California, it is important to keep up with your registry updates. As a rule, sex offenders must update their information annually within five working days before or after their birthday. However, some sex offenders are required to update more frequently. For example, those with Tier 2 crimes must update their information every 30 days and those who are sexually violent predators must update every 90 days.
3. You Can’t Own Electronic Devices
Getting convicted of a sex crime can lead to serious legal consequences. Jail time and fines are just the beginning. Convicted sex offenders may be subject to restrictions on where they can live, who they can work with, and even what type of property they can own. These limitations can have a huge impact on one’s personal and professional life.
For example, sex offenders who have been convicted of certain crimes may be banned from owning electronic devices, like cell phones or laptops. This is because of the possibility that these offenders can use their devices to send harmful material to minors, a crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. In addition, some sex offenders can be banned from public parks and beaches, especially those that are close to schools and other places where children gather.
These are just some of the many limits that sex offenders in California face. These laws are meant to protect California residents, especially children, from roaming sexual predators. If you are a sex offender who has been convicted of a sexual offense, then it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Our Riverside sex crime lawyers can help you fight for your freedom and your rights. Contact us today to get started!
4. You Can’t Live Near Schools or Parks
A sex crime conviction can have serious repercussions in both your personal and professional life. In addition to having restrictions placed on your employment, you may not be able to live close to schools and parks or enjoy certain recreational activities. A Riverside sex offender lawyer can help protect your rights and freedoms if you’re a registered sex offender.
In California, sex offenders have to register their movements within five days of moving in or out of the state. In addition, they must have clearance from their probation or parole officer before traveling outside the state. It’s also illegal for them to loiter near a school, park, or other places where children gather.
This law is based on the fact that sexual predators tend to gravitate toward these areas. The courts have ruled that it’s a reasonable safeguard to keep these offenders away from children.
While the state’s Supreme Court recently overturned a part of Jessica’s Law that prohibited sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks, or other places where kids tend to congregate, there are still residency restrictions in place. These can be enforced on a case-by-case basis by judges or as a condition of parole, probation, or other court-ordered programs.
It’s important for sex offenders to seek legal help to understand the rules and regulations regarding their activities. An experienced sex offender attorney can help them avoid any legal issues and get back on their feet after an arrest.
