Sex Offenders

Sex Offender Registration Act (Megan's Law)

The Sex Offender Registration Act (Megan's Law); Correction Law Article 6C established a sex offender registry within the Division of Criminal Justice Services to protect communities and assist law enforcement. It became effective January 21, 1996 and applied to persons under sentence on that date or any convictions on or after. It includes almost all Penal Law Article 130 offenses as well as a few others. Offenders are designated a risk level by either the sentencing court or a correctional facility if incarcerated.

Registered sex offenders are placed in one of three categories:

• Level 1 - low risk of repeat offense
• Level 2 - moderate risk of repeat offense
• Level 3 - high risk of repeat offense and a threat to public safety exists

Level 1 offenders are required to register for 20 years and Level 2 and 3 offenders register for life. The offenders have responsibilities to follow under the act and they can be found by visiting the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) website.

Supervision

For purposes of probation supervision, a sex offender is considered to be anyone convicted of a sex offense or an offense in which one of the underlying charges was a sex offense or sexual in nature. Therefore, this includes both registered and non-registered offenders and also Youthful Offenders. Madison County currently supervises sex offenders on probation. These offenders are subject to a specific set of probation conditions developed jointly with the Madison County Sex Offender Treatment Team based on national best practice standards for community supervision. Sex offenders are required to cooperate with sex offender treatment.

FAQs

Read answers to Frequently Asked Questions from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Tips

To report tips or information relative to sex offenders who are currently on probation Contact Madison County Probation.