As of January 22, 2013, all school buildings in the Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania district will begin using a new electronic security system to check for convicted sex offenders. The school security system, which is already in use in schools in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and Washington, will require all school visitors to present identification …
As of January 22, 2013, all school buildings in the Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania district will begin using a new electronic security system to check for convicted sex offenders. The school security system, which is already in use in schools in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and Washington, will require all school visitors to present identification at a front desk, to be checked against the national sex offender database. This visitor ID system is only one example of the stigma associated with sex offenses in Oklahoma, and how a sex crime conviction can adversely impact an individual’s life. If you have been charged with a sex crime in the state of Oklahoma, having a qualified defense attorney on your side is critical. Contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your possible defense options.
Convicted Sex Offenders Affected by School Security System
The school security system, called LobbyGuard, “performs instant background checks against national sexual offender databases and immediately alerts appropriate personnel if a match is made,” boasts the website for LobbyGuard, the ID system in use in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma schools. “You can even enter your own customized list of names to keep out known gang members, drug dealers, suspended students and other unwanted guests.” According to a letter to the community posted on the Pottsgrove district website, all visitors to area schools will be required to present a driver’s license or another form of government-issued identification upon arrival at the school. Once a visitor’s ID has been scanned by the security system, a photo-ID visitor’s badge will be produced, as long as there is no alert in the database.
Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help
As evidenced by the widespread use of these visitor ID systems, the rights of convicted sex offenders are severely restricted, even after they serve their prison term. Per Oklahoma statutes, any person convicted of a sex crime in Oklahoma is required to register and update contact information with local and state authorities every year for 15 years (Tier 1 offenders), every six months for 25 years (Tier 2 offenders), or every 90 days for the rest of their life (Tier 3 offenders). In addition, Oklahoma law establishes a “zone of safety,” which prohibits convicted sex offenders from residing or loitering within 500 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds and childcare facilities. If you are facing criminal charges for a sex offense in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, don’t leave your future up to chance. Consult our experienced criminal defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to begin building a strong defense in your sex crime case.