by ACPD Brownlee » Mon May 30, 2005 4:31 pm
Megan’s Law
In response to the murder of 7 year-old Megan Kanka by a convicted sexual offender living in her neighborhood, in 1996, California enacted Megan’s Law. This law provides for the ability for law enforcement to notify neighborhoods and residents of the existence of Serious and High Risk offenders, and further provides three distinct means for the public to become informed of the identity of registered sexual offenders:
1. Community Notification: Under certain circumstances determined by the Sheriff’s Department, public or neighborhood notifications may be made about the existence of certain registered sex offenders living in their neighborhoods.
2. Sex Offender Identification Line: This service is provided by the California Department of Justice for a fee. If you are over 18, you may call 1-900-463-0400 and check the names of up to 2 individuals per call. There is a charge of $10 for the call. In order to check if someone is a registered sex offender, you will need their exact name, and either (1) their exact address, OR (2) their exact date of birth, OR (3) their California Driver’s License number, their California ID number, or their Social Security Number.
3. Megan’s Law Database: Yet another means to check the identity of registered sexual offenders is the Megan’s Law Database that has offender names, aliases, photographs, scars, marks, tattoos, and county of residence. The Database does not include the addresses of the offenders. This service is provided by the Sheriff’s Department free of charge. In order to view the database you must (1) be 18 years of age or older (a minor must accompanied by an adult), (2) provide a California Driver’s License or California ID card for identification, (3) sign a statement that you are not a Registered Sex Offender, and that you understand that access to this information is for public protection and not to harass, intimidate, or commit any crimes against any registrants. The Megan’s Law Database may be viewed at the Sheriff’s Department located at 1835 Airport Blvd, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note: Per California Penal Code Section 290, law enforcement cannot disclose the exact addresses of Registered Sexual Offenders to the public.
Definitions of “Serious” and “High Risk” Offenders
Serious Offender: A Serious Offender is a registrant who has been convicted of at least one felony or misdemeanor sex offense and/or child molest as defined in California Penal Code Section 290.
High Risk Offender: A High Risk Offender is a registrant who has been convicted of multiple violent crimes, and at least one of which was a violent sex offense.
[color=darkblue][size=150]Megan’s Law[/size][/color]
In response to the murder of 7 year-old Megan Kanka by a convicted sexual offender living in her neighborhood, in 1996, California enacted Megan’s Law. This law provides for the ability for law enforcement to notify neighborhoods and residents of the existence of Serious and High Risk offenders, and further provides three distinct means for the public to become informed of the identity of registered sexual offenders:
1. Community Notification: Under certain circumstances determined by the Sheriff’s Department, public or neighborhood notifications may be made about the existence of certain registered sex offenders living in their neighborhoods.
2. Sex Offender Identification Line: This service is provided by the California Department of Justice for a fee. If you are over 18, you may call 1-900-463-0400 and check the names of up to 2 individuals per call. There is a charge of $10 for the call. In order to check if someone is a registered sex offender, you will need their exact name, and either (1) their exact address, OR (2) their exact date of birth, OR (3) their California Driver’s License number, their California ID number, or their Social Security Number.
3. Megan’s Law Database: Yet another means to check the identity of registered sexual offenders is the Megan’s Law Database that has offender names, aliases, photographs, scars, marks, tattoos, and county of residence. The Database does not include the addresses of the offenders. This service is provided by the Sheriff’s Department free of charge. In order to view the database you must (1) be 18 years of age or older (a minor must accompanied by an adult), (2) provide a California Driver’s License or California ID card for identification, (3) sign a statement that you are not a Registered Sex Offender, and that you understand that access to this information is for public protection and not to harass, intimidate, or commit any crimes against any registrants. The Megan’s Law Database may be viewed at the Sheriff’s Department located at 1835 Airport Blvd, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [color=red]Note: Per California Penal Code Section 290, law enforcement cannot disclose the exact addresses of Registered Sexual Offenders to the public.[/color]
Definitions of “Serious” and “High Risk” Offenders
Serious Offender: A Serious Offender is a registrant who has been convicted of at least one felony or misdemeanor sex offense and/or child molest as defined in California Penal Code Section 290.
High Risk Offender: A High Risk Offender is a registrant who has been convicted of multiple violent crimes, and at least one of which was a violent sex offense.