If you’ve been convicted of a sex crime in Louisville, you might be required to register as a sex offender with the state of Kentucky. Failing to do this is a crime of its own that can carry some pretty harsh penalties. So, if you’ve been charged with failing to register as a sex offender in Louisville, it’s important to seek legal assistance right away. Call Suhre & Associates, LLC at (502) 371-7000 to schedule a free consultation with our Louisville sex crime attorneys. We can get to work on defense strategies for your case right away.
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How a Suhre & Associates, LLC Attorney Can Help You with Your Failure to Register Case
Kentucky treats sexual offenses extremely seriously. While many offenders are sentenced to years in prison, the commonwealth also requires some of them to register as sex offenders. Anyone who fails to comply with the court order that requires them to register as a sexual offender may be subject to arrest and further punishment.
Of course, failing to register as an offender can be incredibly easy to do. In many cases, people mistakenly believe that they are automatically added to the registry after they are convicted. In others, offenders move to Kentucky from another state and assume that their registration will automatically carry over.
If you have fallen victim to any of these errors and subsequently been arrested for failing to register as a sex offender, you will need the help of an experienced Louisville criminal defense attorney if you wish to reduce your chances of being punished.
At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we are committed to working tirelessly on behalf of our clients. When you hire us to represent you in your failure to register case, we will:
Provide You with Sound Legal Advice
As you work your way through the Kentucky judicial process, you will almost certainly be forced to make some difficult choices. If you make the right moves, you can massively help your case. However, if you make a mistake or misstep, you could make your situation a lot worse.
Our legal team is intimately familiar with the tough decisions that you will have to make during your case. When you hire us, we will use that experience to help you make smart decisions time after time.
Negotiate with the Prosecution on Your Behalf
When you are taken into custody on a failure to register charge, you may think that you are about to be severely punished. However, this is not necessarily the case. With the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, it may be possible to negotiate a more lenient sentence with the prosecutor.
The attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC in Louisville have spent years negotiating and forging close working relationships with local prosecutors. As a result, we understand how to discuss your case with them in a way that may convince them to reduce your penalties.
Make Sure That You Are Properly Registered Moving Forward
Being arrested for a failure to comply with your sex offender registration requirement can often be a shock. You may have thought that you already took all of the steps that were required of you after you were convicted of a sex offense. If you were mistaken, now is the perfect time to correct your error.
Our criminal defense lawyers have worked on countless sex crime cases over the years. As such, we understand when our clients are required to register as sex offenders and what information they must provide to do so. When you hire us to represent you, we will make sure that you are fully compliant with your registration requirements.
At Suhre & Associates, LLC in Louisville, we are always available to help you with your legal needs. To set up a free consultation with a member of our experienced team, just give us a call or contact us online.
Kentucky Sex Offender Registration Requirements
The Commonwealth of Kentucky requires sex offenders to register with the probation and parole office in their county of residence. But what crimes can lead to someone being classified as a “sex offender”? How will their life be impacted by being on the register? And how long will they have to remain registered for?
Crimes That May Cause a Convict to Register as a Sex Offender
Individuals who have been convicted of the following crimes almost always have a duty to register as a sex offender:
Rape
Sections 510.040, 510.050, and 510.060 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes make it illegal to have sexual intercourse with someone:
- By forcible compulsion
- Who isn’t capable of consenting
- Who is younger than 14 years of age – if the offender is at least 18 years old
- Who is younger than 16 years of age – if the offender is at least 21 years old
- Who is mentally incapacitated, or
- Who is a prisoner – if the offender is a jailer.
Individuals who commit rape will almost certainly have to register as a sexual offender.
Sexual Abuse
Sections 510.110, 510.120, and 510.130 of the Kentucky Revised Statures explain that it is illegal to:
- Subject another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion
- Engage in sexual contact with someone that is incapable of consenting
- Engage in sexual contact with someone that is underage
- Engage in sexual contact with a prisoner – if the offender is a jailer, or
- Engage in sexual contact without the victim’s consent.
Anyone who violates this law will most likely be required to register as a sex offender.
Incest
Section 530.020 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that an individual who has sexual intercourse with a person they know to be their ancestor, descendant, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister may be charged with incest. This crime is generally classified as a Class C felony. However, it may be bumped up to a Class A felony if the victim is younger than 12 years of age or receives a serious injury.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky treats incest convictions extremely seriously. It almost always requires guilty parties to register as sexual offenders.
Production of Child Pornography
Section 531.320 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes makes it illegal to produce, direct, or promote a performance that features sexual conduct by a minor. This offense is usually punishable as a Class C or Class B felony, though it may be upgraded to a Class A felony if the minor is injured.
Individuals who are found guilty of producing child pornography should expect to be ordered to register as sex offenders.
Restrictions Placed on Individuals Listed on the Sex Offender Registry in Kentucky
Registered sexual offenders in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are usually subject to the following restrictions:
Living Restrictions
Registered sex offenders must have their choice of housing approved by a corrections officer. They are generally banned from living within 1,000 feet of a registered school or daycare.
Employment Restrictions
Individuals who are registered as sex offenders often need to have a corrections officer sign off on any new jobs they wish to take. Offenders are usually banned from working with children and other vulnerable people.
Weapons Restrictions
In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sex offenders are not allowed to purchase firearms. If they are found to be in possession of a gun, they may be charged with a weapons offense and punished accordingly.
Alcohol Restrictions
Sex offenders are banned from purchasing and consuming alcohol in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Their corrections officer may require them to take a chemical test to prove that they have not been drinking.
How Long Do Offenders Stay on the Registry?
The length of time that an offender must remain on the Kentucky sex offender registry is largely based on the severity of their crime. However, their previous criminal record also plays a role in determining their registration end-date.
Individuals who are convicted of serious offenses such as first-degree rape or unlawful confinement of a minor must remain on the register for the rest of their lives. Anyone who has been convicted of committing two or more felony sexual offenses against minors must also register for life.
All other sex offenders must register for a period of 20 years. If a 20-year registrant is imprisoned while they are on the list, their clock will be put on hold. When they are released, their countdown timer will resume.
If you have any questions about the Kentucky sexual offender registry or its requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the Suhre & Associates, LLC legal team. We will be more than happy to provide you with the information you require.
Penalties for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Kentucky
According to section 17.510 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, sex offenders who fail to register may be found guilty of a Class D felony. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the penalties for a crime of this nature can include:
- Imprisonment
- Fines
- Supervised release, and/or
- House arrest.
At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we understand how frightening the punishments for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements can be. If you would like us to fight hard to help you avoid them, please contact our Louisville law office as soon as possible.
Call to Discuss Your Failure to Register as a Sex Offender Case Today
The experienced lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC have been helping the people of Louisville fight back against their sex offense charges for years. Our team has the knowledge and skill to handle rape cases, failure to register cases, and everything in between. To have us help you with your legal predicament, just give us a call or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
