The term sex offender is used on any person convicted of rape, molestation, incest, sexual violation of human remains, prostitution and more.  Adults and juveniles alike have to register as a sex offender.

The duration of an offender’s registry is based on the original offense.  A Class A felon may stop registering upon the petition of the superior court, a Class B offender must wait 15 years after confinement or sentence, providing that he /she hasn’t been convicted of any new offenses and Class C felon must wait 10 years after the last day of sentence, again providing that he/she hasn’t been convicted of new offenses.  There are also instances like when the offender is juvenile, wherein he/she may petition the superior court to relieve him/her of his/her duty.

There are actually three risk levels assigned to sex offenders based on their potential to commit another sex offense.  Levels 1’s have the lowest risk, while levels 3’s have the highest.  The extent of public disclosure or the instances when the public is notified also depends upon these risks.

Usually the information about Level 1’s are only shared with other law enforcement agencies, to the victim and the witness and the people who live within the offenders parameters.  They are not subject to general public’s notification.

Risk Level 2 offenders’ information is shared with law enforcement agencies, victims and witnesses as well as the people within the offender’s neighborhood and community.  Business and organizations that involve children are notified as well.  This level is still not subject to the general public’s notification

Risk level 3 Offenders however, are a different story.  Relevant and accurate information should be disclosed to the public at large.

Although it is true that there are public notifications and registries to monitor these offenders, the reality is they live amongst us.  We don’t always have their information, and we cannot always remember them.  The most we can do however is look for ways to monitor whoever is in our neighborhood.  We never know for sure if we are living in a potential repeat offender’s backyard.