Being accused of a sex offense can have serious repercussions for North Carolina residents. Not only could a conviction lead to jail time and steep fines, but there are also other consequences. One of the consequences of being convicted of a sex crime in North Carolina is having to register as a sex offender. Doing so comes with various restrictions, all of which can negatively affect a person’s life.
First of all, there are restrictions as to where a registered sex offender can live. Depending on the circumstances, a person registered as a sex offender may not be able to live within 1,000 feet of a child care center or a school.
In addition, depending on the circumstances, a person registered as a sex offender cannot be employed anywhere where children are present. These include jobs where the person’s job duties require him or her to teach, supervise or take care of a child.
Certain individuals who must register as a sex offender may also not be able to either renew or obtain a commercial driver’s license for vehicles. These include school buses and other commercial vehicles that carry passengers.
Moreover, depending on the situation, a person who must register as a sex offender may not access certain commercial social networking websites that allow minors to sign on as members. This includes websites that derive revenue, facilitate the meeting of persons or the exchange of information, permits members to set up a personal profile and provide members with a means to communicate with other members.
These are only some limitations placed on individuals who must register as sex offenders. There are more. But, as you can see, having to register as a sex offender can make it difficult for an individual to secure housing or obtain a job, among other things. That is why it is important to fight allegations of sex crimes head-on.
No one should be unfairly painted as a sex offender, when they did not commit such a crime. It is important to wage a strong defense against such accusations, not only to prove one’s innocence, but also to avoid the negative consequences that a conviction could bring.
Source: NCDOJ.gov, “The North Carolina Sex Offender & Public Protection Registration Programs,” Roy Cooper, Sept. 2014
