Sex Offenders

Who is Megan?
and
What is Megan's Law?

Megan Kanka, 7, was killed in July 1994 in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.  Jesse Timmerndequas, a twice-convicted sex offender, was sentenced to death for Megan's murder and rape.   Megan's parents lobbied for state and federal laws requiring officials to find ways to warn neighbors when known Sex Offenders move into a neighborhood.  In May 1996, the Federal "Megan's Law" was signed by President Clinton, requiring all states to disclose to the public, information about Sex Offenders.

The Ohio Legislature enacted Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2950, the Sex Offender Registration law,  in 1997.  This law requires  persons convicted of specified crimes and designated as either a Sexual Predator, Habitual Sex Offender or Sexually Oriented Offender, to register with the Sheriff of the county in which they will live.  This registration procedure takes place upon release from a term of imprisonment or, if not imprisoned, then upon moving into a county after conviction.  

The three classifications are defined as follows:

Sexual Predator

A Sexual Predator is defined as a person who has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, committing a Sexually Oriented Offense and who is likely in the future to commit additional Sexually Oriented Offenses. Offenders can be classified as Sexual Predators in one of the following ways:

(A). The offender is convicted of a Sexually Violent Offense with a Sexually Violent Predator specification, or
(B). The sentencing court, after holding a Sexual Predator hearing pursuant to O.R.C. (Ohio Revised Code) 2950.09, determines that the offender is a Sexual Predator.

Offenders designated as Sexual Predators are subject to registration/verification requirements for life unless a judge modifies or terminates the Sexual Predator designation. Sexual Predators are subject to neighbor to neighbor/community notification provisions and the reporting requirements are at 90 (ninety) day intervals.

Habitual Sex Offender

A Habitual Sex Offender is defined as a person who has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to committing a Sexually Oriented Offense, and who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more Sexually Oriented Offenses.

Offenders designated as Habitual Sex Offenders are subject to registration/verification requirements annually for a period of 20 (twenty) years after release. A sentencing judge may determine that a Habitual Sex Offender is subject to neighbor/community notification.

Sexually Oriented Offender

A Sexually Oriented Offender is a person who has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, committing a Sexually Oriented Offense, but who has not been designated as a Sexual Predator or Habitual Sex Offender.

Sexually Oriented Offenders are subject to the registration/verification requirements annually for a period of 10 (ten) years after release. These offenders are not subject to neighbor/community notification.

(9/22/03)