In the state of Illinois, a conviction for any sex offense carries serious penalties. While each case is different, you’ll end up on the Illinois sex offender registry if a jury finds you guilty.
What Convictions will Put You on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry?
Even what you may consider the most minor sex crime could require a judge to order you to register as a sex offender. Many sex crimes certainly require it—there is no room for dispute under Illinois law.
If a jury convicts you of any of the following sex crimes, you will be required to register as a sex offender:
- Criminal sexual assault
- Aggravated criminal sexual assault
- Predatory criminal sexual assault
- Criminal sexual abuse
- Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
So what does registering as a sex offender really mean, and how strict is the state of Illinois when it comes to sex offender registration policies?
Illinois Sex Offender Registration Policies
People who are considered sexual predators must register with the state of Illinois every year, while sexually dangerous and sexually violent people have to register every 90 days; both of these classifications require registration for the rest of the person’s natural life.
Sex offenders have to register with the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where they live. It costs $100 to register, and if an offender moves, he or she has to notify law enforcement within three days.
The Consequences of Sex Offender Registration
If you must register as a sex offender, you will not be allowed in any school or allowed to loiter within 500 feet of school property unless you have written permission of the superintendent or the school board. The only exception exists if you are a parent of a child attending that school and you are going to confer with a teacher.
Sex offenders are not allowed in public parks, including conservation areas and forest preserves that are controlled by the government.
If your crime took place after January 1, 2010, and if you were convicted on or after that same date, you cannot use social networking websites while you’re on probation, parole or mandatory supervised release.
What to Do if You Are Accused of a Sex Crime in Illinois
If someone accuses you of a sex crime, the first thing you need to do is call a Chicago sex crime lawyer. It’s best not to answer investigators’ questions, even if you’re innocent, because investigators could misunderstand your responses or take them out of context. Don’t say anything to anyone until you have talked to your attorney.
Write a comment: