Welcome back and thanks for joining us again. We’ve been talking about the importance of following Sex Offender Registry rules when you’re a convicted sex offender in Michigan. We understand that they’re restrictive, and can seem downright brutal at times. But the consequences of not following the restrictions are simply not worth the trouble! As we mentioned in the previous article, living under the SORA thumb can be a pain, but life in prison is much worse!
The online database is managed by the Michigan State Police
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is an online database, maintained by the Michigan State Police. It’s a public record of all registered sex offenders living in Michigan. This means that if you’ve been convicted of a sex crime, you’ll be identified on the Michigan State Police SORA website as a sex offender for a specified period of time.
What does ‘identified’ mean in this case? Your name, basic identifying information, and your current address will be publically available, along with a picture of your face, and your assigned ‘tier.’ This means anyone with internet access to see exactly who’s a sex offender, and what they were convicted of. It also lets the general public to see where you live in relation to their homes and neighborhoods.
How long you stay on the registry depends on your ‘tier’.
SORA requires that offenders stay registered for 15 years, 25 years, or life, depending on their tier level. The tier levels, as we explained in a recent article, are determined by the specific crime you’re convicted of. Tier 1 crimes are the least serious, and Tier 3 are the most serious. So you can see what we mean, here are a few examples of sex crimes broken down into their respective tiers:
Tier 1
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- 4th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct against a victim 18 years old or older
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- A sexual offense committed by a someone whom the court has labelled a ‘sexually delinquent person’
- Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material (child pornography)
Tier 2
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- Another Tier I crime committed by someone who has already been convicted of a Tier I crime
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- Distribution of child sexually abusive material (CSAM) also known as ‘kiddie porn’
- Using a computer to solicit or commit an immoral act against a minor
Tier 3
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- Both 1st and 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct
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- Assault with intent to commit penetration (CSC 1st degree or CSC 3rd degree)
- Assault with intent to commit CSC 2nd degree against a victim under age 13
Being on the sex offender registry affects every aspect of daily life!
Being a registered sex offender in MIchigan means that you wear a label at all times. It also means that details about your life and past mistakes are available for everyone to see at the click of a button. This can make life much harder! Getting a good job, having a relationship, and developing friendships within your community are all negatively impacted! (This is why so many people jump at the chance to have their names removed from the sex offender registry!)
All in all, it’s very hard to live with. We get it. And we understand why so many convicted sex offenders find the requirements of SORA so restrictive. Who wants to let the cops know every single time you move, buy a car, go to school, or get a new job? Nobody! However, the alternative is much worse!
As experienced sex crime defense attorneys, we want to remind our readers that, while compliance with SORA may not be convenient or pleasant, it’s critically important for your future and your freedom! So if you or a loved one have been accused of a sex crime, call The Kronzek Firm today at 866 766 5245 (866 7No Jail) and speak to someone who can make a difference! We have been fighting sex assault charges since the last century.