A conviction for a sexually-related offense can make life difficult for a person. Not only may the convicted individual have to register as a sex offender, but they may experience issues securing housing and even finding employment. If you are concerned about whether your neighbors must know about your status as a sex offender, you should consult with an experienced Salt Lake City sex crime defense lawyer. Criminal defense lawyer Darwin Overson understands the hurdles faced by defendants convicted of sex crimes, and he is here to alleviate your concerns. Overson & Bugden is here to explain whether sex offenders have to notify their neighbors in Utah.
When Must a Sex Offender Notify Neighbors in Utah?
It is true that some states require sex offenders to notify neighbors of their status or to place signage on their property that alerts others to their status. However, the State of Utah does not require sex offenders to inform their neighbors that they were convicted of a sexual offense.
While sex offenders are not required to inform their neighbors of their past offenses, there is still a sex offender registry where a particular person can be identified as a sex offender.
Additionally, violating a sexual offense law of another state will not make a sexual offender criminally liable unless the same law is in place in the State of Utah.
While sex offenders are not required to notify their neighbors of their sexual offense conviction, there are many other regulations that must be followed if a sex offender wishes to reside in Utah. To learn more about the sex offender regulations imposed by the State of Utah, continue reading and speak with an experienced Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney.
Utah Sex Offender Regulations
There are a number of regulations that are aimed at sex offenders residing in Utah. Some of these regulations are aimed at protecting children from sex offenders or are used to allow law enforcement to keep tabs on sexual offenders.
Zones Where Sex Offenders are Not Permitted
Utah has identified five zones where sex offenders are not permitted to enter due to a sexual crime against a minor (e.g., sexual abuse of a minor, rape, etc.). According to the State of Utah, entering any of these five zones could open a sex offender to criminal liability:
- Community parks open to the public
- Licensed daycares or preschools
- Public playgrounds
- Public/private primary and secondary schools
- Public swimming pools
Sex Offender Registration Requirements
Sex offenders within Utah are not only restricted from certain areas, but they must follow many other rules regarding registration of their status. For example, if an out-of-state offender enters Utah for a brief visit, they must register as a sex offender within 10 days of their visit.
There are some circumstances that change the law enforcement agency that a sex offender must register with. For example, if an offender is still monitored by a probation or parole office, they must register their status with that office. However, if a sex offender is not under the supervision of Utah’s Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P) agency, they must register their status with local law enforcement in their area.
Offenders are also required to renew their registration periodically. Specifically, sex offenders must register twice a year, once in the month they were born and again within six months of their birth month.
The amount of time that an offender must remain in the sex offender registry depends on the duration of their sentence. Additionally, sex offenders are also required to register for 10 years after the duration of the sentence. This means if a defendant is convicted of kidnapping, he must register for the duration of the sentence and 10 years after the termination of the sentence.
Other crimes that require a defendant to register as a sex offender include:
- Aggravated human trafficking
- Custodial sexual relations with individuals under 18
- Forcible sexual abuse
- Incest
- Lewdness
- Sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult
- Sexual battery
- Voyeurism
This is not an exhaustive list. It is also important to note that some sexual offenses require a defendant to register with the sex offender registry for life:
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Child kidnapping
- Enticing a minor using the internet
- Forcible sodomy/forcible sodomy of a child
- Rape or rape of a child
- Object rape
There are various other regulations that sex offenders in Utah must follow. If you are concerned about whether you are properly registered, you should speak with an experienced attorney.
Contact Our Trusted Utah Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Today
If you are unsure about what parties are obligated to know about your sex offender status, contact an experienced Riverton sex crimes lawyer. With nearly two decades of legal experience, defense lawyer Darwin Overson is dedicated to providing his clients with the legal defense they deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your legal situation, contact Overson & Bugden at (801) 758-2287, or contact us online.
