CHANGES TO SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY RESULT IN MORE NAMES LISTED

The Sex Offender Registry was created to identify former sex offenders in an attempt to prevent an offender from harming additional children by alerting the community and law enforcement that a former offender lived in their midst. The laws surrounding the sex offender registry in North Carolina have become even more inclusive after a change in the law.

What hasn’t changed about the registry is that once a person commits a crime involving a predatory sexual act, he or she is forced to identify on the registry. The information is made publicly available to all through the registry. Those on the sex offender registry are also required to update the information if they move or change their address. The requirement to update the information ensures that law enforcement has accurate information about the offender.

Changes to the criteria for inclusion on the list have made it less restrictive and now even non-physical sexual acts can cause a person to be recorded as a sexual predator. Sex crimes such as rape or performing lewd acts with minor children still result in inclusion on the sex offender registry, but now other acts like secret peeping, indecent exposure, statutory offenses, or consensual sex with a child under 18 will earn you a place on the list. The idea that these “lesser” crimes can escalate to more serious offenses is motivating the changes for the sex offender registry.

Some argue the registry is being cluttered with names of individuals who do not truly pose a threat because their acts were non-physical and non-violent. Furthermore, names often stay on the list for as long as 10 years or more. Opponents of the changes believe that this is too long to stay on the registry for the minor offenses now being included.

The label of sex offender should not be taken lightly. It is clear that sex offenders need to be punished as the law dictates, but it is also important that North Carolina legislators contemplate who gets that label and question whether a more inclusive approach actually serves the greater good.

State v. B.S.: Not Guilty Verdict in First Degree Murder Case..

In this case, our client was charged with First Degree Murder in connection with a “drive-by” shooting that occurred in Charlotte, NC. The State’s evidence included GPS ankle monitoring data linking our client was at the scene of the crime and evidence that our client confessed to an inmate while in jail. Nonetheless, we convinced a jury to unanimously find our client Not Guilty. He was released from jail the same day.

State v. S.G.: First Degree Murder Charge Dismissed..

Our client was charged with First Degree for the shooting death related to alleged breaking and entering. The State’s evidence included a co-defendant alleging that our client was the shooter. After conducting a thorough investigation with the use of a private investigator, we persuaded the State to dismiss entirely the case against our client.

State v. B.D.: First Degree Murder Charged Dismissed.

After conducting an investigation and communicating with the prosecutor about the facts and circumstances indicating that our client acted in self-defense, the case was dismissed and deemed a justifiable homicide.

State v. I.R.: Reduction from First Degree Murder to Involuntary Manslaughter and Concealment of Death.

Our client was charged with the First Degree Murder of a young lady by drug overdose. After investigating the decedent’s background and hiring a preeminent expert toxicologist to fight the State’s theory of death, we were able to negotiate this case down from Life in prison to 5 years in prison, with credit for time served.

State v. J.G.:

Our client was charged with First Degree Murder related to a “drug deal gone bad.” After engaging the services of a private investigator and noting issues with the State’s case, we were able to negotiate a plea for our client that avoided a Life sentence and required him to serve only 12 years.