Attorney for Failure to Register in Silver Spring, MD

Consequences of Failure to Register in Maryland

Life as a registered sex offender can be unpleasant in many ways. There are restrictions on where you can work, where you can go, and what you can do in your personal life. It can be tempting to avoid registering after being released from prison or to not update your registration as required. Rather than helping you avoid being on the registry, failing to register is likely to lead to more serious legal problems. You could be sent back to jail for a first violation, or be sent back to prison for several years for a second or subsequent violation.

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. is experienced in representing people who have been charged with failure to register. Our dedicated team of Montgomery County, MD sex crimes attorneys will work to defend you against this serious accusation. Some people are accused of this offense based on a misunderstanding or confusion about what was required of them.

Understanding Failure to Register Charges in Maryland

If you are required to register as a sex offender, your legal duties extend beyond just registering upon release from prison. You must also:

• Update your address promptly if you move,
• Provide accurate information,
• Update your employment information if you change jobs,
• Promptly notify the court of any change in a reportable detail based on the requirements of your release, and
• Periodically register for the entire amount of time you were ordered to remain on the registry.

Many sex offenders are arrested after failing to update their registration in a timely manner after a life change, or for providing incorrect or mistaken information on their registries. For example, if you change jobs frequently, you may be accused of failure to register after forgetting to update the court. Or, if you move and inadvertently report your new address incorrectly, you could be accused of a registration violation.

Offenses That Require Registration

If you are charged with any of the following sex crimes, you will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of time ranging from a few years to several decades or life:

• Online solicitation of a minor,
• Child pornography,
• Rape,
• Sexual assault,
• Any offense based on sexual contact with a minor,
• Indecent exposure, and
• Sexual stalking or sexual harassment.

Consequences of Failure to Register in Maryland

A first offense for failure to register can be charged as a misdemeanor. However, you could be sent to jail for up to 180 days and fined $1,000. A second conviction for failure to register is a felony and could result in three more years of imprisonment and a fine of $12,500. It is also very likely that you would be subject to far stricter court supervision after release if you have a history of failing to register. Your parole officer may require more frequent meetings, which can interfere with your ability to attend work regularly.

Sex Offender Restrictions in Maryland

Some of the restrictions and problems sex offenders face in Maryland include:

• You cannot hold a job that involves contact with children, which is a more restrictive condition than you may think. You could not, for example, work at a park or as maintenance staff in an apartment building where children live.
• You cannot enter the grounds of a daycare, elementary school, or secondary school. If you have children of your own, this may create difficulties or make it impossible to attend events like your child's performances.
• You could lose custody of your child, as your co-parent can use your status as a sex offender against you in court to show that you are unsafe for your child to be around.

Contact a Gaithersburg, MD Failure to Register Attorney

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. is committed to providing the best legal defense services to those charged with failure to register. Our dedicated Montgomery County, MD sex crimes attorney will present the best defense you have available. Contact us at 301-589-9500 for a complimentary consultation.