In the mid-1990’s, two federal laws were enacted which established specific requirements for the registration of convicted sex offenders and for community notification of the residency of registered sex offenders. The Jacob Wetterling Act, signed in 1994, requires states to register people convicted of sex crimes against children. Two years later, President Bill Clinton signed Megan’s Law, which requires states to make personal information about registered sex offenders available to the public. These laws were enacted because the United States Legislature determined that sex offenders have a high risk of re-offending after their release from prison, and that the interest of public safety outweighs the convicted individual’s privacy concerns.
Although these two sex offender laws were enacted by the federal legislature, they allow the states individual discretion in establishing policies and procedures for enforcing these laws. Oklahoma sex offender registry is required for anyone convicted of certain sex crimes in Oklahoma since November 1, 1989. Anyone convicted of a sex crime in another state and entering Oklahoma since November 1989 must notify local authorities within three days of arriving in the state, and must register if they intend to stay or reside in Oklahoma for more than seven days.
In addition to requiring sex offender registry for individuals convicted of sex crimes against children, Oklahoma law establishes a “zone of safety” which does not allow sex offenders within 500 feet of schools, childcare facilities, playgrounds, and parks.
Sex offenders registered in Oklahoma are assigned a risk level based on their perceived risk of re-offending. Level I offenders are required to register annually for 15 years; Level II offenders are required to register semi-annually for 25 years; Level III offenders are required to register every 90 days for the rest of their lives.
When someone is accused of a sex crime in Oklahoma, it is important that he or she seeks immediate help from an Oklahoma sex crime defense lawyer. An experienced defense attorney knows the implications of the charges and can help the client navigate the judicial system. With competent counsel, the accused can improve their chances of having charges lessened or dismissed.
Oklahoma sex crimes
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