Effective July 1, 2005, residents of California have much greater access to information regarding sex offenders as a result of changes to the Megan's Law legislation originally passed in 2004. The substance of the original sex offender registry law itself did not change. The new law simply mandates easier access to the data on the registry by requiring the establishment of a Department of Justice sex offender web site. Previously, local law enforcement maintained a public access data base and the Department of Justice operated a "900" number.
The public can now access a database with specific information on tbe more than 63,000 persons required to register in California as sex offenders. Specific home addresses are displayed on more than 33,500 offenders in the California communities. An additional 30,500 offenders are included on the site with listing by ZIP Code, city, and county. Information on approximately 22,000 other offenders is not included on this site, but is known to law enforcement personnel.
Click here to begin searching for registered sex offenders in your neighborhood.
About the Author: Carl H. Starrett II has been a licensed attorney since 1993 and is a member in good standing with the California State Bar and the San Diego County Bar Association. Mr. Starrett practices in the areas of bankruptcy, business litigation, construction, corporate planning and debt collection.
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