We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Failure to Register?

By G. Wiesen
Updated: Feb 16, 2024
Views: 7,093
Share

A failure to register is a criminal action, or inaction, in which someone who is required to register as a sex offender fails to do so. This action typically involves someone who has been convicted of a crime that imparts the status of a registered sex offender on him or her. Once this status is placed on a person, he or she is required to register in any area in which he or she lives, and moving to a new area typically requires that he or she officially register in that area. A failure to register occurs if someone moves to a new area and does not properly register his or her presence.

The primary component of a “failure to register” offense is in the inaction, usually willful and without good reason, by a person required to do so. Though a number of countries use registration lists for those convicted of sexual offenses, in the US this began at a federal level with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, which is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act passed in 2006. Prior to the establishment of a national list, there were state lists for sex offenders, but the national list established greater potential for “failure to register” offenses.

Though laws in different countries can indicate different requirements for registration, in the US someone convicted of sexual felonies involving minors must typically register as a sexual offender. This is usually done when someone is released from prison, at which point he or she must register in the area in which he or she plans to live. If the person does not register, then he or she can be charged with failure to register, which can lead to heavy fines and imprisonment. Moving to a new state or jurisdiction within a state may also require that a person re-registers in his or her new area.

A “failure to register” charge can be fought, and there are situations in which someone may be found not guilty of such an offense. If someone had truly extenuating circumstances, such as getting into a serious accident that left the person unable to register in a timely manner, then he or she may have failure to register charges dropped. Someone who does not willingly fail to register may also be absolved of such charges, such as a situation in which a person registered properly but the registration was not processed correctly by the government.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-failure-to-register.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.