26
Oct

Minnesota Sex Offender Registration Length

Sex Crimes/Child Pornography Crimes

Sex offense registration (a.k.a. predatory offender registration) is required under a variety of circumstances outlined in Minn. Stat. 243.166, subd. 1b. Typically, it follows these convictions:

  • Murder while committing a sex crime;
  • Kidnapping;
  • Criminal Sexual Conduct felony crimes; and
  • Indecent exposure at a felony level.

But what is commonly not known is that registration can be required even when a conviction of those offenses doesn’t happen. If a person is charged with one of the offenses outlined above and then convicted of a different offense based upon the same set of circumstances giving rise to the initial charge, that person will still have to register as a sex offender. This is why plea negotiations must account for this possible outcome when determining whether the plea deal is favorable or not.

Registration is required immediately upon placement on probation or following incarceration time. The length of the registration period is typically ten years. But, if the probationary period is longer, the registration period will continue until that ends. The registration period does not include any time a person was civilly committed. A failure to register conviction will result in the continuation of the registration period for another five years. There is also a lifetime registration requirement for certain offenders.

The registration procedure can be complicated. Anyone required to register should be diligent in getting the necessary information from the corrections agent they are assigned. Failing to understand your registration requirements can lead to new felony charges and lengthen your registration period, as detailed above.

If you are facing charges that could require sex offender registration, we’d highly recommend that you contact a Minnesota sex crimes attorney to help fight your case and negotiate a result that can limit or negate a registration requirement.