Louisiana has a rigid set of laws in place when it comes to sexual offenses, and those who are convicted of breaking those laws are categorized by the state based on the severity of their actions. In addition to requirements stating that sex offenders in Louisiana must publicly list their registry on social media platforms they use, individuals who have been convicted might also face housing restrictions and other social limitations.
After being charged, there is a set amount of information about the offender that becomes public after they have been officially registered. Take a look below at some of the data that enters the public registry after a sentence has been passed for crimes related to sexual offenses.
Public Information
Much of the data that becomes accessible to the public contains information that can be used to quickly identify anyone who has been registered as a sex offender. This is typically a list of details regarding the offender’s physical description, and can include any of the following:
- Gender
- Age
- Race
- Height
- Weight
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Identifying marks (such as tattoos, scars, or other defining features)
This information can be accessed online through Louisiana’s registry at any time. Offenders are required to inform their neighbors of their registry status and a description of the crime they were convicted of, as well as the physical details listed above. These notices must be sent out by the offender within 21 days of their conviction and do so again any time that they move or change their address.
Depending on the nature of their crime, a court might mandate that a sticker be placed on their vehicle or a sign posted near their home. While this may seem embarrassing for the convicted individual, these measures are in place to protect others and discourage repeat offenses.
Local Notice
Regulations in Louisiana require anyone convicted of a sexual crime to notify the people living around them that they are a registered offender, but there are other individuals that the state requires offenders to inform, such as:
- Landlords or property managers
- School officials, such as local superintendents and principals
- Owners of local parks or recreational facilities in a one-mile radius of the convicted individual
The state also requires that anyone who is charged with a sexual offense and works with minors under the age of 17 must display notice of their convicted crime, the date of conviction, their name, the jurisdiction of conviction, and a recent photo. The information must stay up-to-date or the convicted individual could face statutory fines.
Police Records
While much of the information released about sex offenders is for the safety of the general public, law enforcement officials also obtain a great deal of information about individuals convicted of sexual crimes. This data allows officials to easily identify and keep track of anyone who is charged with those offenses, including information like:
- Fingerprints
- DNA samples
- Previous aliases
- Telephone number
- Social Security number
- Immigration paperwork
- Location of employment
- Motor vehicle records and registration
- Email addresses and online usernames
- Home (“permanent”) address of the offender
These records are kept securely and cannot be accessed by members of the general public, but they may be used to locate or identify individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses or misconduct.
Work with a Trusted Sex Crimes Attorney in Louisiana
If you feel that you have been wrongly convicted of sexual misconduct, you need an experienced attorney who will fight for you every step of the way. The John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm has over 25 years of experience working on sexual offense cases and can help you get the justice that you deserve.
Contact our offices today for a free consultation at (318) 377-1555 or contact us online. Day or night, we’re here for you.