Sex offender registration is often more confusing than it should be for those who are required to register in Larimer County. Registration is by no means a simple or straightforward process, and you must reregister at least once a year for several years to come. Having your name, photo, address, and the crime of which you were convicted on public display is humiliating. Hence, people are eager to get off the registry as soon as they are eligible to do so. Below, our top criminal defense lawyers answer several FAQs on the registration process and how to petition to deregister:
1. What is the Colorado Sex Offender Registry?
The Colorado Sex Offender Registry is a public listing of people who have been convicted of sexual offenses. The registry displays registrants’ names, addresses, photos, and the sex crime of which they were convicted. The purpose behind this public registry is to provide the public with the ability to make informed decisions. It also serves to deter registrants from committing new sex offenses.
2. Who is Required to Register as a Sex Offender in Fort Collins?
Any person convicted of “unlawful sexual behavior,” as it is defined in C.R.S. 16-22-102 (9), is required to register as a sex offender in Fort Collins. This includes most sex crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies alike. However, not all sex offense convictions require registration. For example, a defendant’s first conviction of Public Indecency does not entail registration.
3. How Long Must a Person Register in Loveland?
The length of time that a person must register as a sex offender in Loveland depends on the offense of which the defendant was convicted. Generally, the more severe the crime, the longer the person must register. For example, most misdemeanor convictions require registration for 5 years. However, class 1, 2, and 3 felonies require registering for 20 years (provided that they’re not offenses that require quarterly reregistration). Depending on the conviction, some people are not eligible to petition to deregister at all – they must continue to reregister for the rest of their lives.
4. How Do I Get Off the Sex Offender Registry in Larimer County?
In Larimer County, you cannot simply get off the Sex Offender Registry by just stopping once the required period has elapsed. You must petition the Larimer County Courts to deregister from the Sex Offender Registry. This is best accomplished with the help of a top criminal defense lawyer; going about petitioning to deregister alone may not result in success. To petition to deregister, you must:
- Fill out and send a Petition to Discontinue Registration with the law enforcement agency with whom you are required to register and the District Attorney who prosecuted your case.
- File the Petition with the Larimer County Courts, if your case was tried there.
- Prepare for a hearing if the District Attorney objects to the Petition.
5. What Happens if I Don’t Register as a Sex Offender in Fort Collins?
Whether accidental or intentional, not registering as a sex offender can carry serious consequences in Fort Collins. You will be criminally charged again, this time with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, C.R.S. 18-3-412.5. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor sexual offense, Failure to Register will be charged as a class 1 misdemeanor. Failure to Register is instead charged as a class 6 felony when a person neglects to register after a conviction of a felony sexual offense. You can also be charged if you don’t include any required information, or if you put down false information on the registration form.
Have you been charged with a sex crime, or are you interested in petitioning to deregister from the Sex Offender Registry? No matter the circumstances, be smart, and exercise your right to remain silent. Then call 970-658-0007 to discuss your case with a top criminal defense lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office today. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Matthias Zomer