New York Sex Offender Registration Frequently Asked Questions

A “registered offender” is a person who has been convicted of a sex crime and must follow the registration requirements of New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Such persons are required to submit their personal information in official records known as sex offender registries. Registered sex offenders must be listed in a registry if they have been convicted of most types of sexual assault including rape, criminal sexual assault, and sodomy, or other types of sexual assault crimes.

Under New York law, information that must be registered includes indentifying Information such as the defendant’s photograph, fingerprints, name, including aliases, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, driver's license number, home address or expected home address, internet accounts and internet identifiers. The description of the offense of which the defendant was convicted must also be registered. In addition, the defendant must register the name of his or her school, employment information, as well as any other information that law enforcement deems pertinent.

Offenders must register for at least 20 years. If the offender is considered high-risk, then he or she will have to register for life.

Offenders convicted in other jurisdictions such as another state, under a federal law, in the military, or another country, may have to register in New York. If the offender was convicted of an offense that is equivalent t a New York registrable sex offense, then that offender would have to register in New York. If the individual is convicted of a felony requiring registration in the conviction jurisdiction, the offender would have to register in New York. If the individual is convicted of the following federal crimes, he or she would have to register in New York: sexual exploitation of children, selling or buying of children, certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography, production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States, coercion and enticement, transportation of minors, or use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor.

Under SORA, registered sex offenders must follow certain requirements in order to remain compliance with the requirements. For example, offenders must check in with authority, report relocation, and report new employment. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in a violation. Actions that may result in a violation include:

• Offender failing to notify police that he or she moved or got a new job
• Offender using a false identity or altering appearance
• Offender failing to appropriately engage in post-release treatment or other requirements
• Offender violating conditions probation or parole such as no drugs or alcohol, no internet access without permission, staying clear of children, staying away from victim.

If an offender is found to be in violation, he or she may be charged with a felony and end up back in prison.

Violation of the registration or verification requirements of SORA is serious. You may be convicted of a crime. Your probation or parole may be revoked. You could end up in jail. If you have been accused of violating the requirements of SORA, it is important that you have experienced representation. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have decades of experience successfully representing clients in New York charged with serious felonies, and have the resources to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Contact us at 800.NY.NY.LAW (800.696.9529) to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Suffolk County, Queens, Nassau County, Long Island, and Westchester County.