Among the consequences that a Tennessean can face if they are convicted of a sex offense is being required to be on the state's sex offender registry.
Being required to register as a sex offender is a deeply impactful thing. For one, it can greatly damage a person's reputation. This reputation damage can affect many aspects of a person's life, including what their employment options are, where they can live and how active of a role they are able to play in their community.
Also, being required to be on the sex offender registry puts several ongoing legal requirements on a person. For one, individuals with a registration requirement do not just register once, but rather are required to report on regular intervals. What these intervals are depends on whether the person has been classified as a "sexual offender" or a "violent sexual offender." Also, when a person with a registration requirement has a change in their school information, their employment status or their address, they have to report the change within 48 hours. Failure to comply with these legal requirements could lead to an individual facing felony charges.
Being required to register as a sex offender can also have direct financial impacts on a person. Individuals with a registration requirement are required to pay a $150 administration fee annually.
Thus, a sex offender registration requirement is a truly major consequence. This underscores how precarious of a situation facing accusations of sex offenses can be. Depending on what happens in their case, a person facing such allegations could find their life changed forever. Thus, individuals facing such allegations may want to have the representation of a skilled defense attorney to provide them with help, support and advice as their case progresses.
Source: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, "Sex Offender Registry - Sex Offender Registry FAQ's," Accessed March 10, 2015
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