Sex Offenses and Penalties in North Central Ohio
Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer with Former Prosecution Experience
There are many sex crimes that an individual can be charged with in the state of Ohio. If you have been arrested and charged with any of the following, you need a Mansfield criminal defense attorney who can aggressively fight these accusations and help you pursue the results that you need. If you are convicted of any of these crimes, you could face harsh penalties including prison time and expensive fines, in addition to registration as a sex offender and the social stigma that comes with this.
- Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
- Rape
- Indecent exposure
- Child molestation
- Sexual assault
- Gross sexual imposition
- Sexual battery
- Child pornography
- Possession
- Creation
- Distribution
Sexual Predator Registration Requirements in Ohio
Sex offender registration, laid out in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2950, is very tough in the state of Ohio. Registration means that the sex offender's name is placed in a public record and could be added to a public notification system. This record could cause the offender to be denied housing, employment, bank loans, and many other benefits that require a background check.
The state considers three "tiers" of sex offenders, and these classifications govern how long an offender stays on the public record. Every convicted offender must regularly report to their county sheriff. The frequency of these reports depends on what tier they are. In addition to these scheduled reports, convicted sex offenders must also:
- Report address changes within three days of a move to the county sheriff
- Report to the county sheriff right away if they move to a county to attend school
- Report all vehicles to the county sheriff
- Report all Internet accounts and / or email addresses to the county sheriff
- Report any organizations where they volunteer to the county sheriff
- Report to the sheriff in a county where they are employed for a certain amount of time, even if they do not live in that county
A Tier 1 offender must register every year for 15 years following conviction. Offenses that fall under Tier 1 include voyeurism, importuning, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor less than four years younger than the perpetrator, and more. A
Tier 2 offender must register every six months for 25 years following conviction. Tier 2 offenses include compelling prostitution, kidnapping with sexual motivation, child endangering, and more. A
Tier 3 offender must register every three months (90 days) for the rest of their life. Each registration schedule carries a $25.00 fine payable to the sheriff's office. In addition, the neighbors of a Tier 3 offender may be notified of his or her presence. Tier three offenses include rape, sexual battery, kidnapping of a minor, murder with sexual motivation, and more.
Sex Crime Defense Attorney Serving Mansfield, Columbus, & Nearby Communities
At The Mayer Law Firm, I am dedicated to providing excellent representation for my clients. If you are facing criminal charges, then it is crucial for you to remain silent and seek the representation of an attorney as soon as possible.
I am available for contact 24 / 7, including weekends and evenings. Let me put my years of experience to work for you in your situation. It's never too early to hire counsel—even if you are only under investigation. If you can, contact me before charges have been pressed, because the pre-indictment period is the best opportunity to discuss legal options and build a strong defense case.
Your situation is important to me, and I want to hear your side of the story. Contact my office in Mansfield or Columbus today to discuss the charges you face and to begin the process of retaining highly experienced and skilled representation that you need in your case.