Housing and Employment Restrictions for Sex Offenders

The consequences of being convicted of a sex crime extend far beyond your prison sentence. You can also face residency and job restrictions that will follow you for the rest of your life. In this article, the Tallahassee sex crimes attorneys at Luke Newman, P.A. will discuss how being on the sex offender registry can impact your life.

Residency restrictions for Florida sex offenders

Florida law imposes strict residency requirements on many registered sex offenders that significantly limit where you can live. Florida Statute 948.30(1)(b) prohibits some sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, daycare center, park, or any other place where children are likely to be. This rule usually applies to offenders whose victims were under the age of 18.

The 1,000-foot distance is measured as a straight line from the offender’s residence to the nearest boundary of the place where children congregate (school, park, daycare, etc). The law provides one exception to the rule: If a school or park is built after the offender has moved into their residence, then they don’t have to move.

This restriction can severely limit an offender’s residency options, especially in cities where there are numerous schools, parks, daycares, and other places where children congregate.

Work and job restrictions for Florida sex offenders 

Being in the sex offender registry can also limit the types of employment an offender can have. A sex offender could be prevented from engaging in any job that involves working with or near children. This includes childcare facilities, schools, libraries, zoos, and other places. The restrictions extend to both private and public institutions and even includes positions that wouldn’t necessarily have direct contact with children.

In addition, jobs that require professional licensing can be affected. These include health care, law enforcement, security, and more.

Can I avoid being placed in the sex offender registry?

 The State of Florida aggressively prosecutes sex crimes. You will need a vigorous defense to defeat the charges and avoid placement on the sex offender registry. The best way to avoid the life-altering restrictions that come with being on the sex offender registry is to avoid conviction. Your criminal defense attorney can help you by:

• Conducting a thorough investigation – A skilled criminal defense lawyer will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the charges, examine all the evidence that has been presented against you, and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

• Suppressing evidence – Your sex crimes defense lawyer can potentially suppress evidence that was obtained illegally or challenge the credibility of prosecution witnesses. Such tactics can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case against you and increase the chances that the charges will be dropped.

• Negotiating with prosecutors – An experienced sex crimes defense lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea deal that avoids sex offender registration.

Talk to a Tallahassee Sex Crimes Lawyer Today 

If you are facing sex crime charges in Florida, the stakes are high. You will need an experienced Tallahassee criminal lawyer to handle your case. Call Luke Newman, P.A., today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.