Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

 

Information about Registered California Sex Offenders

 

 

Registered California Sex Offenders:

 

 

History of Megan's Law

 

For more than 50 years, California has required sex offenders to register with their local law enforcement agencies. However, information on the whereabouts of these sex offenders was not available to the public until the implementation of the California Sex Offender Information Line in July 1995. The available information was expanded by California's Megan's Law in 1996. (Chapter 908, Stats. of 1996)

 

Megan's Law is named after 7-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. In the wake of the tragedy, the Kankas sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in the area.

 

The law authorizes local law enforcement to notify the public about high-risk and serious sex offenders who reside in, are employed in, or frequent the community when their names have been brought to law enforcement attention because they have exhibited suspicious behavior.  It also established the searchable public data base for concerned citizens to inquire about offenders in their area.

 

The law is not intended to punish the offender and specifically prohibits using the information to harass or commit any crime against the offender. Anyone who uses information contained in the Megan's Law database to commit a criminal act against another person is subject to criminal prosecution.  Nevertheless, the legislature recognizes public safety is best served when registered sex offenders are not concealing their location.

 

Additional information on registration is available at the office of the State of California's Attorney General http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

 

 

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