When an individual is released from a rehabilitative facility following a conviction of a statutory sexual offense, the person must register themselves before attempting assimilation into a particular community. The laws that govern the registration of sex offenders are outlined under Megan's laws. That being said, Megan's laws, although enforced through Supreme Court rulings, are up for individual State interpretation.

 

 

The information on a particular sex offender's application or registration will vary based on each jurisdiction and State. In addition, the process of notification in regards to registered sex offenders will also vary based on the particular State's interpretation of Megan's law. 

 

 

When a sexual predator moves into a neighborhood, he or she must register with the area's local police enforcement agency. The address, the offense committed, the name, and the date at which the individual moved in is mandatory public information that can be viewed on a number of registrations or sexual predator databases. The notification process of registered sex offenders, however, will vary (like the specifics of the individual's profile) based on State law.

 

 

For instance, some registered sex offenders are required to personally notify each member of the community of their past and their current location within the neighborhood. In contrast, other states simply require that registered sex offenders submit their information to online or Government databases. 

 

 

Regardless of the notification technique, the presence of a sex offender within a community typically becomes understood through word of mouth. When a community member is aware of registered sex offender’s living in their area they will invariably spread the word to other members of the community.

When an individual commits a lewd act involving a minor, their name and information, including their address, becomes a part of the public domain. Upon their release from prison or rehabilitation, the individual must file their information with a local government agency. 

 

 

Under Megan's Law, law enforcement authorities are required to make information regarding the location of a sex offender public. Although individual states decide what information is found in an offender search, a sex offender registry will list and locate all registered sex offenders within a designated area.

 

 

The United States legislation has agreed that, to protect against lewd acts and properly inform citizens of a suspected threat, all information regarding sex offenders be made public. If you have just moved into a neighborhood and you have young children, the United States Government allows you to pinpoint the location of registered sex offenders within your area. 

 

 

Advancements in technology have enabled a sex offender registry to create online offender searches. Again, the laws governing the information concerning the registered sex offender will vary based on the sex offender registry. However, universally Megan's Law requires that all searches reveal the address, name, and act committed of the particular sex offender.

 

 

To access a sex offender registry an individual can simply log on to the Internet and search their area plus the phrase "registered sex offenders". Numerous agencies and companies offer an offender search. Every sex offender registry is made accessible to the public through the Internet.