ABSTRACT
In response to public concern about sex offenders, many states have enacted sex offender registration laws. These laws require convicted sex offenders to register with the police in their place of residence and to notify police of any change of address for a set period of years. Almost all of the registration statutes enumerate the offenses that require registration. For the most part, the statutes focus on sexual assaults, including forcible rape and sodomy, and sexual abuse of children, including incest. Several statutes also target promoters of child pornography and child prostitution. Lesser crimes such as indecent exposure or public indecency are enumerated in some of the statutes. Upon commencement of probation or release from prison, convicted sex offenders generally must register with the chief of police in the area in which they intend to live. In most jurisdictions, the sex offender has thirty days to complete the registration requirement before a penalty accrues.
