The sex offender registry may seem like an additional penalty on top of what the court ordered at your hearing or trial. You may have accepted a plea bargain, not realizing that by pleading guilty or no contest, the government would put your name on the sex offender list. The registry is public information, which many nosy people research in their area. Once others know about your status, you may experience harassment and even threats.
Some states require those on the list to remain on it permanently. In Greenwood Village, your situation may make you eligible to petition the court to allow you to deregister. Due to the dramatic effect being on the list could place in your daily life, you should take every action possible to get off the list. A Greenwood Village sex offender de-registration lawyer could advocate on your behalf and help your case. Reach out to the Colorado Lawyer Team for help.
The court may order a person register as a sex offender based on different situations, as detailed in Colorado Revised Statutes §16-22-103. When a court convicts a person or that person pleads guilty or no contest of a sex crime, that is when the government requires the registration. Once on the list, the person must update their information once a year, or four times a year, and every time they move.
Common types of sex crimes include:
Information is only private if the actor was less than 18 years old or only convicted of a misdemeanor.
If convicted of a class 1, 2, or 3 felony, the person must register for at least 20 years. For lesser felonies and some level 1 misdemeanors, the government requires the person to stay on the list for a minimum of 10 years. Other crimes may require at least five years of registration. Sexually violent predators must register for life, as noted in C.R.S. §16-22-108.
A local attorney may be vital to determine if a person is eligible for deregistration and to ensure that the petition is drafted correctly and argued if the court requires a hearing. Once a court determines a person is qualified to discontinue the duty of registration, the court will notify the petitioner, the alleged victim, law enforcement, the prosecuting officer, and the district attorney. If any party requests a hearing, the court will hold one, as described in C.R.S. §16-22-113.
Some people may not be eligible to get off the sex offender list. Anyone hoping to do so should carefully consider the laws and use the correct language on their petition to the court. Even with an objection, the court may grant de-registration if the court finds the petitioner is not a threat to the public.
You may have experienced some adverse effects of being on the sex offender list. You might have limits on where you can live, and your neighbors may be unfriendly. You could also be worried about your safety. These concerns are legitimate, and you should take them seriously. Consult with a Greenwood Villiage de-registration lawyer to see what options you have in Greenwood Village. Once you have paid the price to the court, you should not have to keep being punished. Call to see how the Colorado Lawyer Team may be able to aid you in getting back your life.