Sex Offender Registry Attorneys in Lexington

What Are Sex Offender Registry Laws in Kentucky?

According to the Kentucky Revised Statutes, there are multiple rules and regulations surrounding sex offender registration, and failure to comply with the laws could lead to further legal complications. If you are convicted of a sex crime, your name, address, identifiable information and your specific offense will be posted to the Kentucky sex offender database. This information is public and viewable by neighbors, family members, friends and employers.

In addition to the registry, offenders may also experience restriction in the following areas:

• Living Arrangements – In order to be considered for housing, a sex offender's desired residence must be approved by a corrections officer. Convicted offenders are required to register themselves prior to leaving the county, state, or city and must register in their new place of residence within 24 hours of arrival.
• Location Restrictions – Registered sex offenders cannot live within a certain distance of a school or daycare.
• Employment - A corrections officer may have to approve work and education opportunities. Offenders may be ineligible for certain positions and they cannot commit another offense while employed or in school.
• Medical Treatment – All offenders will be required to undergo psycho-sexual evaluations by a state-approved, certified counselor. These sexual deviancy counselors may subject offenders to polygraph tests and require the offender to receive therapy.
• Contact with Past Victims – At no time is a past offender allowed to have contact with any past victims. Mail, email, phone contact, and face-to-face interactions are strictly prohibited. Courts must first approve supervised visits with minor children.
• Purchase of Weapons – Offenders are not allowed to purchase any firearm in the state of Kentucky. If you are found in possession of any weapon, ammunition of firearm, you could face further legal complications.
• Purchase of Alcohol – Alcohol is not allowed to be purchased or consumed by offenders. Offenders are often required to report to a corrections officer who will monitor the offender's drug and alcohol consumption through urine or chemical tests.

Call (859) 951-3112 to request a free initial consultation! Also serving clients located in Campbell, Boone and Kenton Counties.

Penalties for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) requires sex offenders to register their names under the SORNA system, or else offenders may be subject to federal punishments. Even if you were not convicted for a federal offense, you may face the same consequences as those who were.

If you knowingly fail to register or update your registration under the required circumstances, you may face a federal criminal penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

In Kentucky, there are two types of sex offender registrations, either for 20 years or life. The factors that play a role in determining whether you must register for 20 years or life include:

• 1^st degree Rape
• 1^st degree Sodomy
• Kidnapping or Unlawful Confinement of a Minor (except by a parent)
• Those convicted of a sex crime who have prior convictions of specified offenses
• Those convicted of two or more felony criminal offenses against victims who are minors
• All offenders moving into Kentucky and registering from another state
• Anyone designated as a “Sexually Violent Predator” in another jurisdiction

All other offenders must register for 20 years. However, we understand that certain factors may prevent you from correctly registering under SORNA. There are various rules and eligibility requirements that could be easily confused and ultimately prevent you registering properly, even if you didn’t intend to.

As such, it’s vital that you retain our proactive and seasoned attorneys to guide you through the sex offender registration process and provide valuable legal counsel regarding the scope of your situation and how to best move forward without dealing with complications related to your SORNA registry.