The Registration Process for Ohio Sexual Offenders
Just shy of 18,000 Ohio residents are currently required to register as sex offenders. If you have been convicted of a sex crime, understanding the sex offender registry process is essential in order to maintain compliance.
Three Tiers
As of 2008, Ohio has classified sex offenders through a tiered system. Following conviction, offenders are automatically placed into one of three tiers based on the severity of the crime.
Tier I offenders have been convicted of less serious crimes and face less stringent registration requirements. For them, registration is required for 15 years following release from incarceration, along with annual in-person verification of registration information.
Those placed in Tier II, on the other hand, are compelled to register for 25 years, and must complete in-person verification every 180 days. Finally, Tier III offenders face lifetime registration and must submit to in-person verification every 90 days.
Mechanics of Registration
In Ohio, the sex offender registry is administered by the State Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the 88 local sheriff offices throughout the state. These agencies collect fingerprints, photos, DNA, vehicle registration information, and criminal histories from all convicted sex offenders.
Within three days of entering any county or changing his or her address, an offender must register at the county sheriff's office. A registered offender's basic information (name, address, tier classification, offense, photo, and fingerprints) will be posted online on Ohio's Electronic Sex Offender Registration and Notification system.
Getting Help
Failure to properly register can have serious consequences. If convicted of a misdemeanor sex crime, failure to register is also a misdemeanor, but if you are required to register as the result of a felony, failure to register is a felony; for many sex offenders, this could mean real prison time.
In addition to registration laws, there are a number of other legal provisions that can cause entanglements for sex offenders. For example, in Ohio registered sex offenders are not permitted to live within 1,000 feet of a school, preschool, or daycare facility.
Being subject to registration requirements and having sex offender status can be a challenge. But, it is a burden that is not impossible to overcome. If you have questions or concerns about how to fulfill your legal obligations as a sex offender, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today.