The Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA)

October 15, 2009

The Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA) What is it? Who must register? What are the ramifications for non-compliance?

October 15, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA)

Article provided by Scott Grabel & Assoc.
Visit us at http://www.grabellaw.com

The Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA) is the law that provides people convicted of, or put on probation for, certain sex-related offenses have their identities and current addresses published on the Michigan Public Sex-Offender Registry (PSOR), which is a public registry that is accessed via the Internet. In addition, to a person's identity and current address, the registry provides information regarding the physical characteristics, current status (i.e., whether incarcerated or on parole), registration details, known scars, marks, or tattoos, known aliases, and the statutory references of the offenses for which the person was convicted or placed upon probation. The actual facts that form the basis for the offense of conviction or for being placed on probation are not revealed to the public.

Not only offenders who are convicted or placed on probation in Michigan are required to register under the Act, but persons from other states, that are required to be registered in their home states, who temporarily reside, work, or who attend school for 14 or more consecutive days, or who temporarily reside, work, or go to school for 30 or more days in a calendar year are required to register under the SORA. The non-resident person is required to register with the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the location where they will be staying within 10 days of his or her arrival to the location and again within 10 days upon that person leaving that address. Failure to register as required by law would subject the person to further criminal liability and sanctions.

Depending on the offense of conviction or for which a person is placed on probation, an individual may be required to register for life, or for 25 years after the date of original registration, or if incarcerated for 10 years after his or her release, whichever is longer.

In addition to the initial registration requirements under the Act, individuals must also update their residency information, in person, with the local law enforcement agency within their communities at certain, specific intervals. Depending on the offense type, i.e., felony or misdemeanor, that a person is convicted or placed upon probation for would dictate the frequency. In the case where an individual is convicted of or placed on probation for one (1) or more listed offenses that are misdemeanors, an individual would be required to register between January 1st and January 15th of each year following initial verification. If an individual is convicted of or placed upon probation for one (1) or more listed offenses that are felonies, the individual would be required to report in person for verification purposes between the 1st day and the 15th day of April, July, October, and January of each year after initial verification. Finally, SORA criminalizes an individual's failure to comply with the above listed reporting requirements.

The requirements of SORA are complex for the layperson and provides for serious penalties for those individuals who do not comply with the Act's provisions. If an individual required to register is unsure as what needs to be done to comply with the Act, the individual should consult a person knowledgeable in the area, such as an experienced criminal attorney.

Article provided by Scott Grabel & Assoc.
Visit us at http://www.grabellaw.com

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