Convicted of a sex crime? Offenders face long odds adjusting after prison
When an individual is suspected of having committed a sex crime, it will often result in increased scrutiny from the community where they reside. These people will have their names and photos connected with the allegations, which can lead to serious challenges even if the charges are eventually dropped.
If the individuals are eventually convicted of a sex crime, the penalties can be much more serious. Not only will they be facing extensive prison time, but they also will be expected to register as a sex offender. These requirements can create long-lasting implications for individuals convicted of these crimes in Louisiana.
As part of the registration laws, offenders must notify police any time they move into a community. They must provide police with other additional information, such as employment status, as well as the route that the offender will take to and from work. Email addresses and information about the offender’s criminal past must also be supplied.
A sex crimes conviction will often exclude an individual from being able to participate in certain field of employment. The state restricts these offenders from being able to live close to schools, and recently, the U.S. House of Representatives has been considering a bill which would restrict these offenders from being able to work in schools. The new law, if passed, would require everyone who would have unsupervised access to students to submit to a criminal background check. If they refuse, they would not be able to be hired for the positions.
Louisiana is also considering making some changes to the incarceration component for some sex crimes, according to a recent report. Certain offenses may see sentences reduced in order to deal with the serious overcrowding occurring within the state’s prisons. However, officials have not discussed which crimes may be covered by these changes, and also what should be done to help these offenders readjust to society.
If police are investigating you as a suspect in a sex crime, you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to begin protecting your rights. You should have your attorney present any time you have any interaction with law enforcement officers. This will help you avoid disclosing any information that can be used against you at a later point in time.
You may think that you will be able to clear your name once you speak with police. You need to know that these investigations are designed to gather as much evidence as possible, and that these officers will be very aggressive in their questioning. You have defenses that are available, and it is important that you understand which options may be best for your situation.