Registration requirement

Someone convicted of a sex crime must register as a sex offender. For most offenses, sex offender registration lasts forever. Police departments have websites listing all registered sex offenders. There is also a National Sex Offender Public Website. These websites are called the public registries and include:

• Photos,
• Names,
• Addresses, and
• Other information.

Anyone can look up the offender on the websites. This includes employers, neighbors, friends, and family members. Being on a registry can have lifelong implications for a sex offender.

Frequently asked questions about sex offender registration. 

Sex offender versus sexual predator

In Illinois, there is a difference between a sex offender and a sexual predator. A judge may order a sex offender to register yearly for up to 10 years. The length of registration depends on their conviction. On the other hand, a sexual predator must register every year for the rest of their life. 

After 10 years, a sex offender’s information will no longer appear on the registry. 

The more serious the offense, the more likely someone is to be convicted as a sexual predator rather than a sex offender.

Juvenile convictions

Someone can appeal a conviction of a sex offense if they were a minor convicted in juvenile court. The minor may appeal within 2-5 years after registry. It depends on the seriousness of the conviction. This appeal process does not apply to minors convicted as an adult.

For a minor to get their name removed from the list, they must show that they pose no risk to the community. If it is more likely than not that they do not pose a risk, the judge may grant the appeal.

What if you move states?

If you are a registered sex offender and decide to move states, there are few obstacles to consider. First, you must register in your new state. You cannot avoid the registry by moving. Every state has some form of a sex offender registry. 

Second, you must make sure that moving states is not a violation of your probation. In some cases, leaving the country may count as a sex offender probation violation. 

If you live in one state and work in another, you must register in both states. You must register in Illinois if you reside in the state for 3 or more calendar days a year. Likewise, suppose you change addresses within Illinois. In that case, you must notify the local law enforcement agency of your address change within 3 days of moving

Civil commitment

In addition to jail, the court may require a sex offender to go to a mental institution. This is called a civil commitment. 

Civil commitments aren't usually set for amount of time. Instead, offenders are released once they aren't a danger to others. 

The court can send offenders with mental or personality disorders to civil commitment. The judge decides if a person is eligible for civil commitment.

You can't appeal your civil commitment based on double jeopardy or being punished twice.