How Long Does Sex Offender Registration Last?
One of the first things that individuals facing sex offender registration need to know is for how long they will be required to register. The length of registration required for sex offenders varies depending upon the type of sex offense conviction that triggers the registration requirement. It is important to note that a person’s classification level does not affect the length of registration.
Lifetime Sex Offender Registration
The Sex Offender Registry Law requires that those persons convicted of a ‘sexually violent offense’ or two or more sexual offenses against a child must register for life.
A ‘sexually violent offense’’ is defined by the law as a conviction for the following crimes:
- indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 under section 13B of chapter 265;
- aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14 under section 13B1/2 of said chapter 265;
- a repeat offense under section 13B3/4 of said chapter 265;
- indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person under section 13F of said chapter 265;
- rape under section 22 of said chapter 265;
- rape of a child under 16 with force under section 22A of said chapter 265;
- aggravated rape of a child under 16 with force under section 22B of said chapter 265;
- a repeat offense under section 22C of said chapter 265;
- assault with intent to commit rape under section 24 of said chapter 265;
- assault of a child with intent to commit rape under section 24B of said chapter 265;
- drugging persons for sexual intercourse under section 3 of chapter 272;
- unnatural and lascivious acts with a child under 16 under section 35A of said chapter 272;
- aggravated rape under section 39 of chapter 277; and
- any attempt to commit a violation of any of the aforementioned sections pursuant to section 6 of chapter 274 or a like violation of the law of another state, the United States or a military, territorial or Indian tribal authority, or any other offense that the sex offender registry board determines to be a sexually violent offense pursuant to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, 42 U.S.C. section 14071.
20 Year Sex Offender Registration Requirement
The Sex Offender Registry Law requires that the duty to register for certain other sex offenses shall end twenty (20) years after the offender has been convicted or adjudicated or has been released from all custody or supervision, whichever occurs last.
Terminating The Sex Offender Registration Requirement
Individuals whose only sex offense was committed as a juvenile may request relief from their duty to register, while individuals convicted or adjudicated of sex offenses other than sexually violent offenses or a single sex crime against a child may also request early relief from their duty to register. These requests require the experienced assistance of a Massachusetts sex offender registry attorney as they are procedurally complicated, reviewed on a case by case basis, and are not automatically granted by the Sex Offender Registry Board.
If you are facing a classification proceeding or are already a registered offender who wants assistance in reviewing or challenging his or her classification, or to request further information, please contact Attorney Crouch at (617) 441-5111 or email him to set up a free, initial consultation. To request further information please contact us.