A sex crime in Minnesota can lead to extremely harsh penalties. Not only does a conviction result in a lengthy prison sentence, but also registration as a sex offender, so the public can track your location and have access to details about the underlying offense.
Common types of sex crimes include:
- Murder while committing a sex crime
- Criminal sexual conduct felonies
- Kidnapping in order to commit a sex crime
- Prostitution or solicitation involving a minor
- Using a minor in a sexual performance
- Child pornography
- Felony indecent exposure
Being a registered sex offender means not being able to live near gathering places for children such as schools, daycare centers, parks, and playgrounds. In addition, sex offenders are not allowed to work at or anywhere near certain places such as schools, retail stores, spas or salons, or any occupation with authority over another person.
But does a person have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his/her life? Convicted individuals must maintain registration for different lengths of time, depending on the circumstances of the crime.
According to Minnesota law, a person who is convicted of a sex crime must register for at least 10 years or throughout the duration of probation, whichever is longer. Sex offenders who were convicted of more serious offenses such as rape or sex crimes involving children may be required to register for life.
Failure to register can carry serious penalties. For example, a first offense is punishable by five additional years of sex offender registration and even a maximum one-year prison term.
If you have been charged with a sex crime, hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid serious penalties or even get your entire case dismissed. For more information about sex crime defense in Minneapolis, contact Brockton D. Hunter P.A. today at (612) 979-1112.