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Failing to comply with registry requirements can result in serious felony charges in North Carolina. Schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Raleigh defense attorney to discuss your case.
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If you live in North Carolina and have been convicted of a sex offense, you may be required to register on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. This registry provides the public with detailed information about individuals convicted of sex offenses who may work or reside within a community. Being required to register as a sex offender can have severe implications on your daily life, affecting your ability to find housing, a job, and more. However, failing to register or comply with the associated restrictions can lead to more serious consequences and additional charges.
Offenders convicted of a “reportable conviction” are required to register as sex offenders with the sheriff within three days of being released from prison, placed on probation, or entering the state of North Carolina. The most common crimes that are “reportable convictions” and require registration include:
Being listed on the Sex Offender Registry comes with numerous restrictions that must be followed. These include:
Depending on the specific crime committed, the time an offender must be listed on the sex offender registry in North Carolina can range from a minimum of 30 years to a lifetime. Generally, those convicted of repeated or aggravated offenses or who are considered sexually violent will be subject to lifetime registration and verification of residence every 90 days. They will be unable to register for a shorter period unless the sentence is revoked or pardoned. For other offenders, it may be possible to petition the court to terminate the sex offender registration requirement after 10 years.
Wake County
Carteret County
Durham County
Orange County
Chatham County
Johnston County (Smithfield courthouse only)
Failure to comply with the terms of release or probation, including registering on the sex offender registry, can result in a Class F felony charge. If you are required to register on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, you must report many changes in your life to law enforcement, including changes of address and appearance. If you plan on leaving the state, you will need to check that state’s requirement for visitor registration.
Other violations that can result in a Class F felony include failing to notify the sheriff of a change of address, failing to return a verification notice, and forging or submitting information or verification notices under false pretenses.
If you have been charged or convicted of any type of sex offense or violation of the sex offender registry, you need a criminal defense team experienced in handling these cases. At DeMent, Askew, Johnson & Marshall, our attorneys are accomplished criminal defense attorneys with over 40 years of experience in all facets of sex crimes. If you have questions about the requirements of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry or believe you may be able to request a termination, contact us to help you navigate this complex set of laws. If you are faced with a sex crime in Wake County or Carteret County, North Carolina, contact us today for a consultation. Call 919-833-5555 for our Raleigh office or 252-251-5555 for our Morehead City office.