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Sex Offender Registration Helping Good People Through Difficult Situations

St. Petersburg Sex Crime Attorney

Florida's Sex Offender Registration Requirements

In Florida, there are many sexually motivated offenses that will require the accused person to register as a sex offender if (1) there has been a finding of guilt by a judge (in a bench trial situation); (2) there has been a finding of guilt by a jury; or (3) the person has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendre, whether or not adjudication of guilt is withheld. The designation of a person as a sexual offender is not a sentence or a punishment but is simply the status of the offender which is the result of a conviction for having committed certain crimes (as set forth more fully below).

Because Florida's sex offender registration requirements have become increasingly intricate over the years, the statutory requirements are reiterated verbatim in this section. If you are facing a sexually motivated offense in the Tampa Bay area, and have any questions whatsoever about the implications of a plea or finding of guilt, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Applicable Statute

Florida Statute § 943.0435 sets forth Florida's sex offender registration requirements, the penalties for a violation, and provides as follows:

(1) As used in this section, the term:

  • (a) 1. "Sexual offender" means a person who meets the criteria in subparagraph a., subparagraph b., subparagraph c., or subparagraph d., as follows:
  • a. (I) Has been convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state, or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), (g), or (h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; s. 796.03; s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been re designated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this sub-sub paragraph; and (II) Has been released on or after October 1st, 1997, from the sanction imposed for any conviction of an offense described in sub-sub paragraph (I). For purposes of sub-sub paragraph (I), a sanction imposed in this state or in any other jurisdiction includes, but is not ,limited to, a fine, probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, private correctional facility, or local detention facility;
  • b. Establishes or maintains a residence in this state and who has not been designated a sexual predator by a court of this state but who has been designated as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or by another sexual offender designation in another state or jurisdiction and was, as a result of such designation, subjected to registration or community or public notification, or both, or would be if the person were a a resident of that state or jurisdiction, without regard to whether the person otherwise meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender;
  • c. Establishes or maintains a residence in this state who is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, any other state or jurisdiction as a result of a conviction for committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the following criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes or similar offense in another jurisdiction: 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), (g), or (h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; s. 796.03; s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been predesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this sub-sub paragraph; or
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