The rules and regulations surrounding sex offender registration in the state of Ohio can be quite complex and confusing. As such, it can be easy to make a small mistake with your registration and wind up getting arrested.
If you have been charged with the failure to register as a sex offender in Ohio, don’t panic. Doing so is only likely to make your situation worse. Instead, reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney – like those here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – for advice and guidance.
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How the Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Legal Team Can Help You with Your Case
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio, we believe that everyone is entitled to a strong legal defense. When you hire us to help you fight back against your failure to register charge, we will:
Devise an Effective Defense Strategy
The fact that you have been charged with a criminal offense does not mean that you will be convicted. By utilizing an effective defense strategy, it may be possible to get your charge reduced or even dismissed altogether.
Having worked in the legal industry for years, our lawyers are intimately familiar with the best defense strategies against failure to register charges. When you enlist our services, we will review the details of your case and help you devise a strategy that may increase your chances of achieving a favorable outcome to your case.
Negotiate with the Prosecution on Your Behalf
Prosecutors generally do not want to take failure to register cases all the way to trial. As such, they are often willing to offer reduced sentences in exchange for an early guilty plea. This process is known as plea bargaining.
The lawyers here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dayton have negotiated countless plea bargain agreements on behalf of our clients. During that time, we have become experts in dealing with local prosecutors. With our legal team on your side, you can feel confident that your interests are being well-represented during the negotiation process.
Make Sure That You Are Properly Registered Moving Forward
Being arrested for failing to register as a sex offender can be a shocking and frightening experience. As such, you will no doubt be keen to ensure that it does not happen again.
Our lawyers have been working within the Ohio judicial system for years. As such, we fully understand the rules and regulations that you must adhere to if you wish to avoid getting into trouble for failing to register once again. When you hire us, we will provide you with all the information you need to know to stay compliant with the law.
Would you like to experience the many benefits of working with a Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers criminal defense attorney? If so, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up an initial consultation. We would love to meet with you to learn more about your case and provide you with more information about our legal services.
Ohio Sex Offender Registration Requirements
According to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (Adam Walsh Act), two categories of offenders are required to register with local law enforcement in the state of Ohio. Those categories are:
Sexual Offenders
A sexual offender is any individual who has been convicted of a sexually oriented offense.
Child-Victim Offenders
A child-victim offender is any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense against a child who is younger than 18 years of age.
Once offenders have been separated into their appropriate category, they are then reclassified into one of three tiers based on the seriousness of their crime. Their registration requirements will depend entirely on the tier that they are placed into:
Tier I
Individuals who have been convicted of the following sex offenses are typically classified as Tier I offenders:
- Sexual Imposition
- Voyeurism
- Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor
- Unlawful Restraint – if the Offense Includes a Sexual Motivation
Adults who are categorized as Tier I offenders are required to register once every 12 months for a period of 15 years. Individuals who are placed in this category are not subject to any community or neighborhood notification requirements.
Tier II
Offenders convicted of one of the following sexually-oriented offenses are usually placed into Tier II:
- Production of Child Pornography
- Compelling Prostitution
- Kidnapping – if the Offense Includes a Sexual Motivation
- Child Endangerment
Individuals who are classified as Tier II offenders are obliged to register with local law enforcement every 180 days for a period of 25 years. Tier II offenders also do not have any community or neighborhood notification requirements.
Tier III
People who have been found guilty of one of the following sex crimes are generally classified as Tier III offenders:
- Rape
- Sexual Battery
- Felonious Assault – if the Offense Includes a Sexual Motivation
- Murder – if the Offense Includes a Sexual Motivation
Tier III offenders are required to register with law enforcement every 90 days for the remainder of their lives. If an offender in this category moves to a new address, a notification of their registration status will be sent to all residents who live within 1,000 feet of their new home.
The attorneys here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers are experts on Ohio sex offender registration requirements. If you have any questions about your obligations under the law, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Common Mistakes in Complying with Ohio Sex Offender Registration Law
Individuals who are not fully aware of their registration requirements can easily violate the law without even realizing that they have done so. A brief list of some of the most common reasons for failing to comply with registration requirements would include:
- Failing to register when being released from prison
- Failing to re-register at the required time
- Failing to register in a new county or state
- Failing to provide all required information to local law enforcement
- Failing to update personal, work, or school information after a change
No matter why you have been charged with failing to register as a sex offender, the lawyers here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dayton, OH, are always available to help. To set up an initial consultation with a member of our team, just give us a call or contact us online.
Consequences of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in Ohio
The state of Ohio believes that accurate and up-to-date sex offender registries are essential for public safety. As a result, the state doles out some fairly severe penalties to offenders who fail to meet their registration requirements.
The exact punishments that an individual may face for this offense are largely dependent on the number of times that they have failed to register in the past:
Penalties for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender for the First Time
Individuals who are convicted of failing to register for the first time are almost certain to be sent back to jail or prison. Those who were originally required to register because they were convicted of a fourth-degree felony, fifth-degree felony, or misdemeanor typically face a sentence of between 6 and 18 months if they are found guilty of this offense.
Offenders who were originally convicted of a first-, second-, or third-degree felony will usually be charged with a felony of the same level for failing to register for the first time. They will be sentenced to a prison sentence in line with the guidelines for their offense level.
Penalties for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender on Two or More Occasions
Offenders who are convicted of failing to register for a second time, having originally been convicted of a fourth-degree felony, fifth-degree felony, or misdemeanor, typically receive prison sentences of between 1 and 5 years.
Individuals who were originally convicted of a first-, second-, or third-degree felony will once again be charged with a felony of the same level if they fail to register for a second time. They will be punished according to the guidelines for their felony level. However, because they are repeat offenders, judges typically hand down penalties that are toward the top-end of the sentencing guidelines.
All subsequent convictions for failing to register in the state of Ohio carry a mandatory three-year minimum prison sentence.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dayton, we understand how terrifying the penalties for failing to register can be. As such, we are committed to working tirelessly to try to help our clients avoid them. If you would like us to represent you in your case, please reach out and schedule an initial consultation with one of our attorneys.
In Trouble for the Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Ohio? Seek Legal Assistance Today from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers
The lawyers here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers have been helping Dayton residents fight back against their sex crime charges for years. If you have been arrested for failing to register, please do not hesitate to contact us at (937) 531-0435. We are ready, willing, and able to provide you with the vigorous defense you deserve.
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Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers
130 W 2nd St #310
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 531-0435