Can Sex Offender Registration Status Ever Be Lowered/Removed?

 Posted on March 10, 2025 in Sex Crimes

Most people convicted of a sexual crime must register as sex offenders after completing their sentences. The level of sex offense will determine how long the individual will be required to register as a sex offender. Being required to register as a sex offender can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s life.

The requirements for annual registration require an individual to arrive in person and provide proof of current address and employment, along with other detailed information. It can be almost impossible to find employment as a person on the sex offender registry, as well as extremely difficult to obtain housing.

Most people who are required to register as sex offenders would be extremely relieved to be able to have that status lowered or removed entirely. The only way to know whether this is possible is to speak to a knowledgeable Harford County, MD sex crimes attorney.  

Who Must Register as a Sexual Offender In Illinois?

If you have been convicted of a sexual crime, you may be required to register each year as a sex offender for a specific period of time, depending on your specific crime. Virtually all sex crimes (including prostitution, solicitation, or pimping if the victim is younger than 18) require registration as a sexual offender. Other crimes that can land a person on the sexual offender registry include:

• Kidnapping/aggravated kidnapping if the victim is under the age of 18, the defendant is not a parent of the victim, and the offense is sexually motivated.
• First-degree murder of a child when the defendant is at least 17 at the time of the offense and the victim is under the age of 18.
• Unlawful restraint/aggravated unlawful restraint if the victim is under the age of 18, the defendant is not a parent of the victim, and the offense is sexually motivated.
• First-degree murder of an adult when the victim was over the age of 18 at the time of the murder.   
• Child abduction by luring a child under the age of 16 into a vehicle or building when the offense is sexually motivated.

How Long Must an Offender Register For?

If you have been convicted of first-degree murder or are an adjudicated sexual predator, you must register for life – and every 90 days rather than once a year. All others must register for 10 years (annually and when they move to a new home). The ten years begin when you are released from prison or upon receipt of a probation sentence. Failing to register can trigger registration every three months for the remainder of your registration period and a possible extension of the registration period for another ten years.

Is It Possible to Get Your Name Off the Registry?

Just because your time is up, do not assume your name will automatically drop off the registry. In fact, despite the fact that registry is generally ten years, it is likely the sexual offender registry will follow you for the rest of your life unless you were a juvenile when the crime occurred. While some states do allow those on the registry to petition to have the time lowered or have their name removed, Illinois is not one of them. If you were a juvenile at the time of the offense, your name can only be removed from the registry after the court considers specific factors like:

• A risk assessment
• The sex offender history of an adjudicated juvenile delinquent
• Evidence of a juvenile’s rehabilitation
• The age of the juvenile at the time of the offense
• Information related to the history of the juvenile
• Victim impact statements

Contact a Northern Baltimore County, MD Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a sex crime or another serious crime or are currently on the offender registry, it can be helpful to speak to a Harford County, MD sex crimes attorney from Baltimore Legal Services. We have helped more than 10,000 clients and are available 24/7. Call 858-523-8423 to schedule your free consultation.