| Maryland Megan's
Law and Victim's Rights
(1)The right to respect
A victim of crime shall be treated by agents of
the state with dignity, respect, and sensitivity during all phases of the
criminal justice process.
(2)The right to be informed
In a case originating by indictment or
information filed in a circuit court, a victim of crime shall have the right to
be informed of the rights established in this article and, upon request and if
practicable, to be notified of a criminal justice proceedings.
(3)The right to be present
In a case originating by indictment or
information filed in a circuit court, a victim of crime shall have the right to
attend a criminal justice proceedings.
(4)The right to be heard
In a case originating by indictment or
information filed in a circuit court, a victim of crime shall have the right to
be heard at criminal justice proceedings.
Please refer to the State of Maryland Article 47 for further information
regarding the victims' rights.
ARTICLE 47.
(A) A victim of crime shall be treated by agents of the state with dignity,
respect, and sensitivity during all phases of the criminal justice process.
(B) In a case originating by indictment or information filed in a circuit
court, a victim of crime shall have the right to be informed of the rights
established in this article and, upon request and if practicable, to be notified
of, to attend, and to be heard at a criminal justice proceedings, as these
rights are implemented and the terms "crime", "criminal justice proceeding", and
"victim" are specified by law.
(C) Nothing in this Article permits any civil cause of action for monetary
damages for violation of any of its provisions or authorizes a victim of crime
to take any action to stay a criminal justice proceeding. updated 8/19/02
| Contact Person: |
Allison Gilford (410) 585-3649 |
| Offenders Required to Register: |
Child Sex Offenders who have been convicted in Maryland of the
following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1995 (or before October
1, 1995, if in the custody or under the supervision of a "supervising authority"
on October 1, 2001): Child Sexual Abuse; Rape First Degree of a child under age
15; Rape Second Degree of a child under age 15; Sex Offense First Degree of a
child under age 15; Sex Offense Second Degree of a child under age 15;Sex
Offense Third Degree of a child under age 15; Sex Offense Fourth Degree of a
child under age 15 and ordered by the court to register (This offense is
applicable only to those individuals whose crime was committed on or after
October 1, 1995.). Offenders who have been (1) convicted in Maryland of the
following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1997; and (2) ordered by
the court to register: Abduction or Kidnapping of a child under age 16;
Kidnapping of a child under age 18; False Imprisonment (common law) of a child
under age 18 by an individual who is not the child's parent; Sex Offense Fourth
Degree of a child under 18; Solicitation of a child under the age of 18 to
engage in sexual conduct; Child pornography; Operating a bawdyhouse, pandering,
and other offenses involving prostitution if the intended prostitute is under
age 18; Any crime that involves conduct which, by its nature, is a sexual
offense against a child under the age of 18; Any attempt to commit a crime
listed above. Sexually Violent Offenders who have been convicted in Maryland of
the following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1997 (or before July
1, 1997, if in the custody or under the supervision of a "supervising authority"
on October 1, 2001): Rape First Degree; Rape Second Degree; Sex Offense First
Degree; Sex Offense Second Degree; Sex Offense Third Degree; Attempted Rape or
Sexual Offense; (Assault with Intent to Commit Rape First Degree, Rape Second
Degree, Sex Offense First Degree, or Sex Offense Second Degree; Any attempt to
commit an offense listed above as prohibited on or before September 30, 1996).
Sexually Violent Predators who have been convicted of a second or subsequent
sexually violent offense (listed under Sexually Violent Offenders, above) that
occurred on or after October 1, 1997. They have also been determined to be at
risk of committing a subsequent sexually violent offense. |
| Information Collected: |
Name, aliases, address, and social security number. Photograph
and fingerprints. Place of employment or school. Category of registrant (Child
Sexual Offender, Offender, Sexually Violent Offender, or Sexually Violent
Predator), term (ten years or life), and if resident or non-resident (student or
worker) registrant. Description of crime (that triggers the requirement to
register). Dates of conviction, offense, and release. Victim's date of birth and
jurisdiction (location of the state, federal, military, or tribal court where
convicted and sentenced). |
| Administrating Agency: |
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, local law
enforcement. |
| Timeframe for Registration: |
Registrants must register on or before the date that the
registrant is released or within seven days of moving into Maryland, or within
14 days of beginning employment or registering as a student in Maryland. In
addition, Child Sexual Offenders who are Maryland residents must register with
the designated local law enforcement agency in the county in which they will
reside within seven days of "release" or within seven days of registering with
the supervising authority if moving into Maryland. Non-resident Child Sexual
Offenders must also register within seven days with the designated local law
enforcement agency in the county where they will work or attend
school. |
| Applies to Out of State Offenders: |
An individual must register as a Child Sexual Offender if, before
moving into this state, the individual was required to register by another
state, federal, military, or Native American tribal court for an offense
occurring before October 1, 1995. An individual must register as an Offender,
Sexually Violent Offender, or Sexually Violent Predator if, before moving into
this state, the individual was required to register by another state, federal,
military, or Native American tribal court for an offense occurring before July
1, 1997. |
| Duration of Requirement: |
The term of registration begins with the registrant's "release,"
as outlined above. All registrants must register for 10 years, or for life if
the registrant has been: Convicted of Rape First or Second Degree or Sex Offense
First, Second, or Third Degree; or determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator;
or previously required to register and has been convicted of a subsequent
violation of any offense requiring registration. Child Sexual Offenders must
register initially with both the appropriate supervising authority and the
designated local law enforcement agency; thereafter, they must register annually
in person with the
designated local law enforcement agency. Offenders and
Sexually Violent Offenders must register initially with the appropriate
supervising authority and thereafter annually by mail with the Department of
Public Safety and Correctional Services. Sexually Violent Predators must
register initially with the appropriate supervising authority and thereafter
every 90 days by mail with the designated local law enforcement agency.
Non-resident registrants who are working or attending school in Maryland must
register for the period of time specified for the category of registration, or
until the registrant's employment or student enrollment in Maryland ends (if
that occurs before termination of the registration period). |
| Verification of Address: |
Yes - offender registers annually with local law enforcement.
Child sex offenders must register in person. Annually, a non-forwardable letter
is sent to each offender's last known residence. Sexually Violent Predators are
required to submit verification of current address to the designated local law
enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the registrant lives every 90
days for life. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance: |
A registrant who fails to register or who provides false
information may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to
imprisonment in the penitentiary for up to three years or a fine of up to $5,000
or both. |
| Access to Information: |
To obtain a copy of the Registry, you must provide the following
information:
- Your Full Name;
- Your Mailing Address;
- Your reason for wanting the information;
- Whether you want the complete Registry:
- for the state;
- for a specific zip code;
- or for a specific county;
- whether you want the requested information sent by the U.S. Postal
Service or
- sent as an E-mail attachment.
You may submit your request in one of the following ways:
E-mail your completed request to:
Mail your completed request to:
Crimes Against Children and Sexual
Offender Registry Unit,
P.O. Box 5743,
Pikesville, MD 21282-5743
or; fax your completed request to: 410-653-5690. |
| Confidentiality Provision: |
No |
| Number Registered: |
2,576 (1,745 sex offenders against children) |
| Percent Compliance: |
96% |
| Internet Access: |
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sor/ |
|
