Frank Denzler
Legislation enacted in 2003 requires that all sex offenders and persons convicted of a violent crime register in the county in which they reside; they must also register in the county in which they work if different than where they live.
At the time they register at the sheriff’s department, the individual’s photo is taken and other information, including their physical description, place of employment, address of residency and the nature of the previous crime(s) committed, are logged, maintained and available for public review.
The information is also maintained and made available to the public at www.indianasheriffs.org.
“The Website has been upgraded and is different from the one formerly used a few years ago. Anyone can now go to a Web page and see a current photo and gain pertinent information (about offenders). The former Web site had been maintained by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) on Indiana’s Sex and Violent Offender directory.
Once the individual has been found guilty and released from jail they are required to register within a 30 day time frame. The information is maintained on the public site for a minimum of 10 years.
“Depending on age of the victim at the time of the crime, the nature of the crime committed and whether a weapon was used in the crime is a determining factor for the length of time the offenders are required to register. They could be required to register for the remainder of their lifetime,” Lisa Collyer, a secretary at the Rush County Jail, said.
Collyer is responsible for making local updates to the list.
“Currently we have 18 individuals registered that live within the city limits of Rushville and 26 countywide,” Collyer said.
Individuals that do not have computer service available can request information regarding a sexual offender at the Rush County Sheriff’s Department during regular business hours Monday through Friday. This information is a matter of public record and is available to the public by simply requesting it.
Offenses requiring individuals to register include rape, criminal deviate conduct, child molesting, child exploitation, vicarious sexual gratification, child solicitation, child seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor, incest, kidnapping and criminal confinement if the victim is under the age of 18. Any changes in an offender’s name requires the individual to re-register.
According to the law as written, any individual convicted of or attempting to commit or conspiring to any of the preceding offenses is require to register annually. The law also includes any minor 14 years or older who is on probation, parole or who is discharged from a secure private facility or juvenile detention center for any of the above listed crimes as well.
Individuals that relocate to a community must register at the county sheriff’s department where they reside within seven days after they arrive. If they live in multiple counties simultaneously, they must register in each county. Additionally, if they own real property they also must register with the county where the property is located. The registry period will continue for a period of 10 years from the date the individual is released from a penal facility, juvenile detention facility or placed on parole or probation.
For individuals who are 18 or older and commit a crime against an individual 12 years or younger, or the sex or violent offense causes serious injury or death, or the individual has committed two or more unrelated sex or violent offenses, the registry period is for life. Failure to comply with the laws currently in effect may result in the offender being charged with a class “D” offense. The charge may be upgraded to a class “C” felony if the individual has a prior convicted offense of failure to comply with the registry laws.
Since the 2003 legislation went into effect sexual offenders must be notified both orally and in writing of their duty to register. The individuals also must sign statements acknowledging the receipt of the oral and written duties regarding their place of residency and employment location.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@cnhimedia.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
