Sex Offender Registration in Maryland
If you are convicted of a sex crime in Maryland, it is not enough to serve whatever sentence or fulfill whatever penalties a judge prescribes to you at the time of conviction. In addition to jail or prison time, fines, fees and/or sex offender treatment that you endure, you are also likely to be required to have your name entered in a sex crime registry, which will be public knowledge in your community.
Maryland laws explicitly state that “A person shall register with the person’s supervising authority if the person is: (1) a child sexual offender, (2) an offender, (3) a sexually violent offender, or (4) a sexually violent predator.” The required period of time for sex offender registration will differ depending on which “tier” or level of severity a sex crime conviction falls into.
A vigorous defense of your rights, your liberty and your well-being after you have been charged with a sex crime must include a concerted effort to protect you from sex offender registration requirements. Each case is unique. Early consultation with a Maryland sex offender registration attorney about your sex offense charges or conviction is paramount.
State Sex Offender Registry
Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced, accomplished attorney at the Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter to maximize your chances of avoiding sex offender registration. Contact me, Charles L. Waechter, to discuss the best strategies in your case and learn how I can help you if you have been charged with a sex crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, such as:
- Sexual assault, including inappropriate touching
- Rape
- Child sexual abuse
- Sexual solicitation of a minor
- Solicitation or prostitution
- Internet child pornography ( federal or state charges)
Needless to say, entry on a sex offender registry is a very serious impediment to moving on with your life after having been convicted of a sex crime and serving your punishment. It may prove to be difficult or even impossible to find housing, get a job or maintain normal friendly relations with neighbors. Sex offender registration is today’s society’s version of the “scarlet letter A” of past generations, when public shame ostracized offenders indefinitely after a violation of sexual mores.
Fighting the original charges is the first and most important step. In case you are convicted, your criminal defense lawyer should advocate zealously on your behalf to try to keep your conviction at the lower tier.
Free Consultation With an Experienced Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
If you face sex offender registration because of a criminal sexual misconduct conviction, contact me, criminal defense attorney Charles L. Waechter, in Baltimore, Annapolis, Bel Air or Ocean City to learn how I can help. My clients come from throughout Maryland and neighboring states, as well as South Florida.
