In Minnesota, a number of different sex crimes require a convicted person to register as sex offender. The state has strict sex offender registration requirements. A person who fails to comply with the sex offender registration requirements found in MN Statutes § 243.166 can face serious criminal penalties. In this article, our Mankato sex crimes defense lawyer provides an overview of the penalties for failure to register as a sex offender in Minnesota.
Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration Requirements is a Crime
As a starting point, it is important to clarify that failing to register as a sex offender in Minnesota is, by itself, a criminal offense. In other words, a person who fails to comply with the sex offender registration rules of the state can be arrested and charged with a serious crime on those grounds alone. Some examples of conduct that could be deemed failure to register as a sex offender include:
- A person fails to initially register as a sex offender after being convicted of an offense;
- A person registers initially, but then fails to properly report changes in their address, employment, or the vehicle that they are driving; and
- A person relocates to Minnesota but fails to register as a sex offender with the local authorities as required by state law.
What to Know About the Penalties for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Minnesota
Minnesota takes sex offender registration requirements very seriously. A person who fails to follow the sex offender registration rules will face serious criminal penalties. Specifically, the penalties for failing to register as a sex offender in Minnesota can include any or all of the following:
- Additional Period of Sex Offender Registration: If you are convicted of failing to register as a sex offender, it can add an additional five years on to the total length of time you are required to register.
- Loss of Probation/Parole: Sex offender registration violations can result in the immediate revocation of a person’s probation/parole. The charge could result in the alleged offender being sent to prison for their initial charge.
- Mandatory Minimum One Year in Prison: A conviction for failure to register as a sex offender carries a one year and one day mandatory minimum prison sentence in Minnesota. The offense can carry a maximum of five years in prison.
There are legal defenses available in failure to register as a sex offender cases. An experienced Southern Minnesota sex crimes defense lawyer can help you determine the best course of action if you or your loved one is facing this type of criminal charge.
Call Our Mankato Sex Crimes Defense Attorney for Immediate Help
At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Mankato sex crimes defense lawyer has the skills, knowledge, and legal experience to handle the full range of failure to register as a sex offender charges. If you have any questions about your rights or responsibilities, we can help. Contact us at 507-405-2442 for a completely confidential case review. With law offices in Mankato and Rochester, we provide criminal defense representation throughout all of Southern Minnesota.