NCJ Number
221146
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 74 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2007 Pages: 18,20-22,24
Date Published
November 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article outlines potential implications of the 2006 Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) for law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
The 2006 Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (known as the Walsh Act) establishes comprehensive standards for sex offender registration and notification. It is intended to decrease victimization rates and increase public safety through improved monitoring and tracking mechanisms for sex offenders. In 2007, proposed guidelines were issued for the Walsh Act to assist jurisdictions with implementation. The Walsh Act requires that all jurisdictions implement SORNA standards by July 2009. Jurisdictions may have laws that are more restrictive than SORNA as long as the baseline requirements are met. SORNA provides consistency in sex offender registrations and tracking mechanisms across jurisdictions, thereby closing loopholes. SORNA standards are expected to enhance public safety and prevent future victimization by increasing public awareness of sex offenders in communities and promoting offender accountability through more stringent requirements. Law enforcement agencies will play a major role in ensuring sex offender compliance with SORNA standards and in preventing these offenders from falling through the cracks. This article outlines SORNA’s potential implications for law enforcement in the areas of applicability, registration, tier classification system, duration of registration, verification, notification and information sharing, noncompliance and the role of the U.S. Marshals Service, juvenile sex offenders, and compliance. 10 notes