Recently, the Massachusetts State Police captured one of the state’s most wanted sex offenders in a New York City area motel room. The man is a classified as a Level 3 sex offender after being convicted of the 1991 rape of a child under the age of 16. While the man completed a prison sentence, he was wanted for four counts of failure to register as a sex offender. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security classifies sex offenders as individuals who live in, work at, or attend an educational facility in Massachusetts and who have been convicted of a sex offense. The state’s sex offender classification also includes youthful offender and juvenile delinquents who have been charged with sex offenses, individuals who have been released from incarceration or probation in Massachusetts, and people who have been classified as sexually dangerous individuals.
Since August 1, 1981, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has utilized a sex offender rating system. The more serious offense with which you are charged, the higher the sex offender classification you will receive. Because higher classifications can result in particularly severe penalties, to avoid one it is often in your best interest to obtain the assistance of a seasoned criminal defense who understands how to best create a strong defense.
No Duty to Register
Individuals in this category are not at risk of re-offense and are also not viewed as a danger to the public. As a result, all of the details about a person in this classification are removed from the Commonwealth’s Sex Offender Registry. Few sex offenders qualify for this category, and individuals who are convicted of certain types of offenses including sexually violent crimes are automatically excluded from this category.
Level 1 Offenders
Individuals in this category are at a low risk of committing sexual offenses in the future. People who qualify under this category are required to annually submit sex offender registration to the Sex Offender Registry. A degree of privacy is offered to individuals in this category and information about these offenses are not immediately available to the public.
Level 2 Offenders
To qualify as a level 2 offender, a person must be viewed by the law as a moderate risk at repeating the offense. Level 2 offenders are required to re-register annually in person at their local law enforcement station. Details about level 2 offenders are less private than level 1 offenders. Details about the offense that resulted in the classification is kept at police departments and the Sexual Offender Registry Board, but to find out details about the offense, a person must request them in person or by mail.
Level 3 Offenders
Individuals who qualify as level 3 offenders are classified as a high risk for repeating the offense in the future. If you qualify as such an offender, you must re-register annually at your local police station. Details about level 3 offenders have the least degree privacy of all sex offenders. Information about level 3 offenders can be obtain from law enforcement station, the Sex Offender Registry Board, or the internet.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are charged with a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you should not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney who can help create a strong defense. Speak with attorney Edward Molari today to begin taking steps to make sure that your case resolves in the best possible manner.