What Crimes Require You to Register as a Sex Offender in Florida?

Being arrested for a sexual offense can have lifelong consequences, especially if you are required to register as a sex offender or sexual predator. A conviction can affect every aspect of your life, including employment, qualifying for a home purchase, getting a degree, and more. If you are charged with a sexual offense, it’s imperative to speak with a skilled Tampa sex crime lawyer right away.

What is the Sex Offender Registry in Florida?

Like other states, Florida has a sex offender registry that tracks any sex offenders living in the state. There is also a searchable database through the U.S. Department of Justice. When someone registers in Florida, they must share all a lot of detailed information, including:

• Name and date of birth;
• Residential address and telephone number(s);
• Social Security Number and passport number;
• Fingerprints and palm prints;
• Sex, race, weight, height, hair color, eye color;
• Any tattoos or other identifying marks;
• Vehicle information;
• All social media handles, messaging names, email addresses;
• Employment information and occupation;
• Information on your conviction;
• Immigration status and documentation (if applicable); and
• Any professional license information (if applicable).

Any registered sex offender that moves only has 48 hours to update their information and driver’s license.

Florida Crimes that Require You to Register

Florida Statutes 943.0435 states that a conviction for any of the following crimes means you must register as a sex offender or sexual predator:

• Kidnapping;
• Sexual battery, including date rape, spousal rape, or statutory rape;
• Unlawful sexual activity with a minor;
• Child molestation;
• False imprisonment;
• Child pornography;
• Lewd and lascivious offenses, like nudity, public exposure, or other similar crimes;
• Child prostitution;
• Selling and/or buying of a minor; and
• Sexual performance by a child.

If you were convicted of a similar crime in a different state and are moving to Florida, you would need to register as a sex offender in Florida. In addition to registering, you have to remain compliant; otherwise, you will be facing additional legal issues. For example, sexual predators and juvenile offenders must check in four times a year while sex offenders must check in twice a year.

There is a difference between a sex offender and a sex predator. A sexual predator denotes someone a sex offender who was convicted of several sexually violent crimes and designated as such by the court.

Contact a Tampa Sex Crime Lawyer

While there are some limited circumstances that you might be able to get removed from the sex offender registry, it’s more likely that you will stay registered for the rest of your life. That is why you want to get the best Tampa sex crime lawyer from the start. The more experienced and skilled defense lawyer you have, the better chance you have of your charges being reduced or dismissed. If your case goes to trial, you need a defense attorney who can present the best case possible to the jury.

If you need assistance with a Florida sex-related crime, contact Faulkner Law Group, PLLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.