Arizona Sex Offender Information

The term “sex offender” is used generally to classify all individuals who have been convicted of sexual crimes like rape, molestation, harassment, producing and distributing pornographic materials. The term has wide connotations across different US jurisdictions; child sexual abuse, streaking, mooning, and failing to prevent one’s teenage wards from taking part in otherwise consensual sexual activities are also considered sexual crimes in some US states.

Different levels are assigned to sex offenders to assess their likelihood of committing a crime again. Usually, a Level 1 sex offender is considered at low risk of re-offending, a Level 2 offender at moderate risk, and a Level 3 offender at high risk of committing a sex crime again.

Arizona Sex Offender Laws

As per the dictates of Megan’s Law, the state of Arizona requires all AZ sex offenders to register with the local police. Registered sex offenders of other states must also register in Arizona if they intend to reside here for more than ten days. Not registering is a Class 4 felony. Transients are also required by the law to register and they are classed as “homeless.” Apart from these requirements, Arizona sex offender laws also limit the number of offenders who may live in one multi-family residence. From 2009, Level 3 offenders, with some exceptions, are barred from living within 1,000 feet of a school or a day care center.

In Arizona, when a sex offender completes his prison sentence, he may be reviewed against some violent sexual predator criteria. If determined a violent sexual predator, he is remanded to the Arizona State Hospital for a civil commitment. The offender may ask for an annual assessment to determine if he is eligible to be released, whence he will no longer be classed as a “predator.”

As per AZ Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Compliance Team September 2007 statistics, there are about 11,000 sex offenders in the state; 2,700 of them being Level 2 offenders and 1,700, Level 3.

It is worth mentioning here that The Center for Sex Offender Management has recognized Maricopa County in Arizona as one of the sixteen areas in the US that have executed unique methods for managing sex offenders. Maricopa County has initiated a process of lifetime probation supervision of sex offenders and was one of the first areas to use specialized caseloads for such offenders.

Arizona Sex Offender Information

As per Megan’s Law, the public should be informed when a registered sex offender is released from prison or is on probation. Information about levels 2 and 3 Arizona sex offenders are also posted online. Information on Level 1 offender is only available to law enforcement bodies.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a list of all registered sex offenders in the state. Information about levels 2 and 3 offenders is available to the public for a price of USD 25 at http://dps.az.gov/. You may also search an offender by his last name, zip code, and address or view a list of all absconding Arizona sex offenders at http://az.gov/app/sows/home.xhtml;jsessionid=FAD0AB07D98B8ECFC014B25C5F7B6969?cid=6996. Keep in mind that this information is intended only as a safety precaution and should not be used to threaten, intimidate, or harass offenders, or vandalize their property and belongings.

Stock up on information about AZ sex offenders; this will be your first shield of defense against such violent criminals.