Sex Offenders - Questions and Answers

1. What is the significance of June 1, 1996?
   This is the date that Arizona implemented Sex Offender Community Notification laws. Any person released from jail, prison, or sentenced to probation on or after this date is subject to community notification.
2. How is Sex Offender risk level determined?
   Prior to an offender's release or sentence to probation, the agency that had custody of the individual completes a Risk Assessment Screening Profile containing nineteen criteria considered to be significant factors contributing to sex offender recidivism. Each criterion is given a score and all criteria totaled to arrive at the recommended risk level. All criminal justice agencies must use the standardized Arizona Risk Assessment--but law enforcement staffs occasionally discover information that can affect an offender's risk level. These law enforcement staffs are therefore allowed the discretion to either accept the recommended risk level or complete another risk assessment on the offender.
3. Are risk levels consistent nationwide?
   No, each state has slightly different community notification laws, implementation dates, and risk assessment instruments.
4. What is a sexual predator?
   You need to check with your individual state regarding the definition and the disposition of sexual predators.
5. What agency registers sex offenders?
   States and counties vary.  Check with your local law enforcement department to see who is responsible for registering.
6. Are known sex offenders required to register while visiting or vacationing in Hawaii?
   Again, check with your local law enforcement department because the requirements vary.
7. When and how must a sex offender change his address?
   A sex offender has 72 hours to complete a change of address, excluding weekends and legal holidays. The change of address must be completed in person, on a sex offender registration form. Failure to comply is a Class 4 Felony.
8. Can non-sexual offenses require sex offender registration/notification?
   
   Yes, judges have the authority to order a defendant to register as a sex offender if the judge finds there was sexual motivation in the defendant's case.
9. Do registration and community notification laws apply to juveniles?
   Although registration is mandatory for adults, it is not for juveniles. If a juvenile is found guilty of acts that would require an adult to register as a sex offender, the court can require the juvenile to register until the age of twenty-five. And community notification laws may apply if so ordered by the court.
10. Are all sex offenders required to obtain special Drivers Licenses or identification credentials?
    Check with your local law enforcement because some agencies issue licenses that are identical to operator's licenses, but when a law enforcement official checks the status of the credentials, they will see data indicating that the individual is subject to sex offender registration.
11. How can I obtain more detailed information concerning a particular conviction?
    Contact the court in the "convicting jurisdiction" to gain access to these public documents.
12. Are sex offenders prohibited from living near schools/daycare centers?
    There is no law restricting where an offender may live--but if an offender is on probation or parole, the respective probation department has the discretion to impose restrictions on the offender's living arrangements.

Sex Offender Facts

Statistics show that sex offenders come from all walks of life and all socio-economic groups:

• Although the majority of sex offenders are male, there are some instances of sex offences committed by women.
• Offenders can also come from wealthy or poor families, be employed or unemployed, be religious or non-religious, or be educated or not educated. And offenders come from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Although some sex offenders are stalkers or are strangers to their victims, many know their victims as family members, friends, or neighbors. These offenders tend to win a child's trust and then take advantage of that trust. Neglected, runaway, reclusive, or poor children are more likely to be victims in cases where the offender is acquainted with the victim.

Many pedophiles seek out single mothers for the purpose of victimizing the mothers' children.

Most sex offenders groom their victims prior to molesting or assaulting them.

Sex offenders go to playgrounds and other places where children congregate in order to attract and entrap their victims. Offenders also position themselves to come into contact with children in other ways by:

• Creating playground environments where victims have access to toys, games, and other things that will later be traded for sex.
• Enticing children with attention, affection, gifts, and promises.
• By providing alcohol to lower inhibitions and showing children pornography in an attempt to show the children that sex with adults is acceptable.
• Participating in activities with teens or by trying to lure teens into situations where no other adults are present.
• Preying on a teen's desire to excel in a sport by providing extra assistance and offering special attention.
• Being the "nice guy" in the neighborhood who is willing to entertain children and take them on outings.
• Operating businesses that hire teens, then looking for excuses to require the teens to stay after hours, or visit the offender's home.
• Seeking employment or volunteering where they can come in contact with children and teens.