Sex Offender Registration

Chicago Sex Crimes Attorney

Sex crimes in Illinois vary in degree and severity. Some sex crimes may be completely non-violent and consensual, such as having sexual relations with your 17-year-old boyfriend or girlfriend, and you are 18. Other sex crimes are much more serious and carry with them harsh penalties, such as rape and child molestation, otherwise known as predatory criminal sexual assault. While there is a range of sex crimes that should not be treated equal, most sex crimes, regardless of the seriousness of the charge, are lumped into one category that labels the convicted as “sex offenders.” If you have been charged with a Chicago sex crime or are at risk for being required to register as an Illinois sex offender, you should consult with David L. Freidberg , a highly experienced Chicagoland criminal defense attorney who will be your advocate to help you get through a difficult process.

The Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act

Under Illinois law, 730 ILCS 152/115 , the Illinois State Police have established a statewide Sex Offender Database that identifies individuals who have been convicted of certain sex crimes. The information is available online, and nearly any person will know extensive information about a convicted sex offender, leaving the individual exposed to the entire world. The Illinois Sex Offender Database is a form of punishment that makes it very difficult for the convicted to learn to live a normal life and forget about a checkered past. Depending on the nature of the crime, a person convicted of a sex crime will have to register for either a period of ten (10) years or for their entire lifetime.

Under the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act, individuals who face becoming an Illinois registered sex offender are those who have been charged with one or more of the following crimes, pursuant to 730 ILCS 150/2(B), and 730 ILCS 150/2(C) :

• Possession of Child Pornography 720 ILCS 5/11-20.1;
• Custodial sexual misconduct;
• Forcible Rape
• Statutory Rape or Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40
• Sexual misconduct with a disabled person;
• Juvenile prostitution crimes;
• Pimping;
• Exploitation of a child;
• Possession of Child Pornography 720 ILCS 5/11-20.1
• Traveling to meet a minor;
• Criminal Sexual Assault 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20;
• Criminal Sexual Abuse 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50; and
• Ritualized abuse of a child

There are additional charges that may fall into the broader categories of crimes listed above, so it is important to speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney right away so that you fully understand the crimes you have been charged with.

Individuals charged with any one of the crimes listed above must register as a sex offender if the charge resulted in one of the following, pursuant to 730 ILCS 150/2(A) :

(1) a conviction for the commission of the crime or attempt to commit the crime;
(2) a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity; or
(3) a finding not resulting in an acquittal at a hearing for the alleged crime or attempted crime

As the information above suggests, mandatory sex offender registration in Illinois can be very confusing and there are many issues involved with any one case. The favorable resolution of your case may prevent you from having to register as a sex offender in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Whether or not you are required to register as a sex offender depends on a variety of things, such as whether or not you have a criminal record, how serious the alleged crime was, and how much evidence the prosecution actually has. With the help of a highly skilled Chicago criminal defense attorney , you may be able to avoid the painful consequences of being a registered sex offender in Illinois.

What Information About Me Is Disclosed?

The amount of information available for each registered sex offender in Illinois is quite substantial. If you are required to register as an Illinois sex offender you should expect to reveal the following information, pursuant to 730 ILCS 150/3 :

• Your name;
• A current photograph;
• Your age at the time of the offense;
• Age of the alleged victim;
• Current address;
• Current place of employment;
• Current telephone number (including home number, cellular number, and work number);
• Name of previous school(s) you attended;
• Email address(es);
• Instant messaging identities;
• Chat room identities;
• Other internet identities (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, My Space, etc.);
• All URLs (web pages) registered or used by you;
• All IP addresses in your residence;
• All blogs and other websites maintained by you, and/or websites where you have uploaded content or messages;
• Information relating to any extensions you may have been granted for delaying your registration as a sex offender, the time period of the extension, and the reason why the extension was granted;
• Information relating to the terms of your parole;
• County of your conviction;
• Your license plate numbers for all vehicles registered to you; and
• Distinguishing marks you have, such as tattoos, birthmarks, piercings, moles, etc.

The amount of information that the public realm may learn about you is very personal and can leave you feeling isolated. With the help of a Chicago criminal defense attorney experienced in defending clients charged with sex crimes, you are increasing the chances that you may be able to avoid disclosure of your personal information to the public.

Contact Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney David L. Freidberg Today to Schedule Your Free Confidential Consultation

Being placed on the Illinois sex offender list can leave you with a tarnished reputation, no matter what crime you were charged with. You may have difficulty finding employment, or applying to school. In order to fight your charges to the fullest extent possible and to protect your rights, you should consider contacting an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Even though the law of the land is that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, when someone is charged with a sex crime and faces mandatory registration as a sex offender, there is already an assumption that this person must be guilty.

Chicago-based attorney David L. Freidberg has more than 25 years of experience helping clients overcome criminal charges, reaching the best resolution possible for each client’s individual circumstances. If you are facing sex crime charges , it is essential that you contact our seasoned Chicago criminal defense attorneys right away. Our legal team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you get through a difficult time. To schedule a free confidential consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys, contact our office by calling (312) 560-7100, or you may contact us via email and we will respond to you as soon as possible.