How Does Megan’s Law Affect Convicted Southern California Sex Offenders?
Under federal law, law enforcement authorities must make information available to the public regarding convicted sex offenders. It is up to each state to determine what information is made available. Megan’s Law specifically requires persons convicted of a sex crime against a child to notify local law enforcement agencies regarding where they live. It also requires individuals convicted of certain crimes to register as sex offenders.
In California, you can search the official Megan’s Law database by a specific name, zip code, city, or county to look for personal information about a registrant. There is a map application, which allows people to easily view registrants in their areas or even neighborhoods. A simple search on the database will bring up pictures, names, descriptions, and prior convictions. Now, imagine applying for a job when your criminal history, photo, and description are posted for everyone to see online.
