SORNA Services & Consulting
SORNA, or the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, is a federal law that establishes minimum national standards for sex offender registration and notification systems across the United States. Enacted as part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, SORNA establishes federal requirements concerning who must register, the information that registrants must provide, how frequently registration must be updated, and how jurisdictions share registry information. Because federal requirements interact with individual state laws, navigating SORNA can become complicated and confusing when someone moves from one stat to another, travels within the U.S. or works, attends school, or lives across state lines.
Our SORNA division works with those charged or convicted of sex-related offenses, along with their family and/or support system to help explain the registry, answer local, state, federal, or international questions about living and traveling as a RSO (registered sex offender), and provide guidance on sex offender probation and parole.
Most clients are first-time offenders who are new to the registry (or going to be on the registry due to a plea deal). They may or may not have any jail or prison time and most likely have some form of sex offender probation or parole.
We offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help understand and navigate the complexity of SORNA in the U.S. and internationally.
Statistics — Overview
- There are more than 800,000 sex offenders registered in the U.S.
- Texas and California have the most registered sex offenders per state
- Males make up 97% of the population of sex offenders
- 69.6% of all registered sex offenders have been "Released" from probation or parole and are only subject to the registration requirements
Living and Traveling Within the U.S.
The registry requirements in each state, including visiting states when you reside in another state, are confusing and complicated.
For example, in Miami-Dade County in Florida, if you are convicted of certain crimes and want to reside in the county, you will have to be aware of a residency restriction. The Lauren Book Child Safety Ordinance makes it unlawful for certain people convicted of specific sex-related crimes to reside within 2,500 feet of any school. Violation is a fine up to $1,000 or up to 364 days in county jail.
In the example above, there is the national SORNA law, the Florida state law, AND a local ordinance — all of which must be taken into account.
Wanting to relocate from one state to another adds another layer of confusion, as your registration requirements could increase (a higher tier) or decrease (lower tier) in a new state. Even if you are removed from the registry in a state and then decide to move to another state, you could be required to register in your new state. Our team can help with detailed research, discussions with statewide registry officials and attorneys, and legacy knowledge – all designed to provide you and your family with the most current, up-to-date information available.
International Travel
If you have the desire to travel internationally, you will need to understand and be aware of International Megan’s Law — what it means, how it impacts your travel, and your responsibilities.
We routinely work with clients who need to understand if international travel is a possibility and what countries may prevent you from entering — and how to position yourself to have the best opportunity for a successful trip.
- What are my chances of getting into a specific country?
- What happens if my travel plans get changed? Who do I notify?
- What should I expect when returning from international travel?
