Legal
General Information
Please Note: Unless otherwise specified, the term Sexual Offender as used in this section refers to sexual offenders subject to registration per Florida Statute. This includes juvenile sexual offenders adjudicated delinquent who are required to register due to provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
All qualifying sexual predators and offenders must register in Florida. Failure of a sexual predator or offender to register as required by law is a third degree felony.
The designation of a person as a sexual predator or sexual offender is neither a sentence nor a punishment but simply a status resulting from the conviction of certain crimes. {Sections 775.21(3)(d), 943.0435(12), 944.607 Florida Statutes}
Florida law, effective 7/1/96, requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to maintain an updated list of Sexual Predators in this state after a court has made a written finding designating them as a Sexual Predator, as the term is defined by Florida statute.
Chapter 97-299, Laws of Florida, requires certain sexual offenders to directly register with or to have information compiled by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, with the information to be provided to FDLE. Florida law makes this information available to the public. This site provides you with public information regarding both Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders.
Please see F.S. 775.21 for additional information on Sexual Predators and F.S. 943.0435 for additional information regarding Sexual Offenders.
Community Notification
SEXUAL PREDATORS
Community notification of registered Sexual Predators is MANDATORY by the sheriff or chief of police of the jurisdiction where the sexual predator establishes or maintains a permanent or temporary residence, in a manner deemed appropriate by the sheriff or chief. {Section 775.21(7)(a)}
SEXUAL OFFENDERS
Community notification of registered Sexual Offenders is AUTHORIZED but NOT MANDATORY. {Sections 943.043(1)-(3); 943.0435(12); 944.606(4); 985.481(4)}
Notice of Criminal Violation
MISUSE OR MATERIAL ALTERATION OF PUBLIC RECORDS INFORMATION OR DISTRIBUTING FALSE INFORMATION:
Any person who:
- misuses public records information relating to a sexual predator, as defined in s. 775.21, or a sexual offender, as defined in s. 943.0435 or s. 944.607, to secure a payment from such a predator or offender;
- knowingly distributes or publishes false information relating to such a predator or offender which the person misrepresents as being public records information;
- materially alters public records information with the intent to misrepresent the information, including documents, summaries of public records information provided by law enforcement agencies, or public records information displayed by law enforcement agencies on websites or provided through other means of communication, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. {Section 775.21(10)(c), Florida Statutes}
Important Links
FDLE's Legal Bulletin on Sex Offenders & Predators
Provides a review of laws applicable to Florida sex offenders and predators based upon FDLE's 2007 - 2008 Guidelines to Florida Sex Offender Laws
More Information about Florida Laws: