Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
If you have been arrested after being charged with a sex crime, your life may never be the same. In society, the opinion of sex crimes, particularly those committed against children, is very strong and very negative. Law enforcement has a similar attitude when in pursuit of or apprehending someone accused of a sex crime. The majority of sex crime convictions result in the mandatory registration as a sex offender. Needless to say, the impact of that is serious and permanent.
An aggressive defense is needed if you hope to protect any semblance of your freedom, future, or reputation after being charged with a sex crime. A sex crime defense lawyer in Chicago will be able to help you construct a sound defense, which may include:
- Demonstrating you were wrongfully accused: Is the accused making false allegations? Did they lie to protect their own reputation? Are you and the accused involved in a child custody case or going through a divorce?
- Suppressing evidence: Did law enforcement have a valid search warrant? Did they acquire evidence via illegal search and seizure? Does the situation involve entrapment?
What is a Sex Offender Registry?
A registry for those convicted of a sex crime is basically a databank of information about offenders. The information collected is maintained and retrieved by law enforcement in their effort to not only monitor sex offenders in a given community, but track their whereabouts, as well.
A portion of the information is available to the general public commonly through websites that keep tabs on sex offenders.
Each state is responsible for its own system of registry. State-specific requirements outline:
- Who needs to register
- The information that must be provided by the offender
- What information may be made available to the public
All of the above may vary by jurisdiction and by state.
Who Must Register as a Sex Offender?
Anyone who has been convicted of a sexual offense against children or other specified sex crime must register with local authorities in their town or city immediately after rejoining the community.
He or she is typically required to re-register annually and, occasionally, more frequently depending on the state. Registration is also mandatory if the sex offender moves, and failure to register at all is considered a criminal offense of its own.
In certain cases and contingent upon the jurisdiction and the offense, an offender is required to register with authorities, but may be able to prevent personal information from being posted publicly.
Hire a Sex Crime Defense Lawyer in Chicago
After being charged with a sex crime in Illinois, you may have your name permanently added to the sex offender registry or face years in prison. Adding to your stress is the damage to your reputation, family, and professional aspirations.
You have too much to lose, which is why you need to work with the best sex crime defense attorney in Chicago and the surrounding area. The law offices of David L. Freidberg will take your case and protect your rights while fighting for your freedom.
We are available 24 hours a day to help. Schedule a free consultation or call (312) 560-7100 today.
(image courtesy of Hajran Pambudi)
