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50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
People who are convicted of criminal charges often struggle to reintegrate into society after they have served their sentences. This is especially true for those who are convicted of sexual assault or other sex crimes. In these cases, a person may be required to become a registered sex offender, and they will be placed in a public database that includes their photo and description, their address, and details about their offense. Registered sex offenders may have trouble finding employment and housing, and they may experience other issues that affect their reputation and personal relationships. To address this issue, the Connecticut Sentencing Commission is looking to create legislation that may allow some offenders to be removed from the sex offender registry.
The Connecticut Sentencing Commission is an independent agency that researches and reviews the state’s criminal justice system and makes recommendations about potential reforms. The Commission’s Collateral Consequences subcommittee has been looking into the issue of the state’s sex offender registry, and it is hoping to create a proposal for legislation that may affect some offenders who face consequences due to being listed in the registry.
Connecticut residents who are convicted of sexual offenses may be required to register as sex offenders for 10 years or for life. Lifetime registration is required for people convicted of crimes involving sexual violence, and it may also apply to those who are convicted of other sexual offenses for a second time. Currently, the state does not allow people with the requirement to register for life to be removed from the registry.
The Sentencing Commission is currently looking to create a proposal that may allow some people to be removed from the sex offender registry. While the Commission has not yet finalized the details, it is considering a proposal that would allow offenders to file a petition for removal from the registry after 10 years. In these cases, a court hearing would be used to review the person’s case and hear arguments from prosecutors and victims, and a registrant would need to show that they had completed their sentence and met all requirements of parole and/or probation. If a person is removed from the public sex offender registry, they would be placed in a law enforcement registry that is only accessible to police officers, prosecutors, and other officials in the criminal justice system.
Changes may be made to Connecticut’s sex offender registry in the future, but those who are accused of committing sex crimes can still face serious consequences that may affect them for the rest of their lives. At the Woolf Law Firm, LLC, we provide strong and experienced representation in criminal cases. If you are facing accusations of a sexual offense, we can help you determine the best strategy to help you avoid being convicted and being required to register as a sex offender. Contact our Hartford sex crime defense lawyer at 860-290-8690 to arrange a free consultation today.
Sources:
https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2021/09/16/efforts-to-change-sex-offender-registry-is-still-a-work-in-progress/
http://ctsentencingcommission.org/projects-initiatives
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_969.htm
50 Founders Plaza
