The state of Oklahoma lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding this year because of its failure to comply with federal sex offender registration requirements, and it will do so again next year. According to Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Judith Pounds, the only non-compliance issue is in the area of …
The state of Oklahoma lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding this year because of its failure to comply with federal sex offender registration requirements, and it will do so again next year. According to Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Judith Pounds, the only non-compliance issue is in the area of juvenile sex offenders, but this big problem cost Oklahoma approximately $200,000 in federal funds. Failure to comply with federal sex offender laws is a serious offense for both the state and the convicted sex offender. If you have been charged with an Oklahoma sex crime and you are facing mandatory registration as a sex offender, contact our qualified criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today. With the help of our experienced criminal defense team, you can protect your legal rights and work to have your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
The Adam Walsh Act Described
The Adam Walsh Act is a federal statute signed into law in 2006 that organizes sex offenders into three tiers based on the severity of their crime and the likelihood of them offending again. According to the Adam Walsh Act, Tier 3 offenders – the most serious – are required to update their contact and location information every three months for the rest of their lives. Tier 2 sex offenders must update their whereabouts every six months with a mandatory 25-year registration, and Tier 1 offenders must update their information every year for 15 years. In addition to mandating registration requirements for sex offenders, the Adam Walsh Act also instructs each state to apply identical criteria for posting information about sex offenders on the Internet.
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“We can’t comply because all the records in reference to juveniles are sealed” in accordance with state law, said Pounds. “So without us changing the laws within the state, which you know is up to our legislature, then of course we’re going to be out of compliance.” Failure of a state to comply with federal sex offender laws typically results in a loss of federal funding, and failure of a sex offender to register with the state and update contact information as required is considered a felony offense in Oklahoma. If you have been arrested for an Oklahoma sex crime, consult our knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options. With our skilled criminal defense attorneys on your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome in your sex crime case.