| Virginia Megan's
Law and Victim's Rights
Article I, Section 8-A
Rights of victims of crime. That in criminal prosecutions, the victim shall
be accorded fairness, dignity and a respect by the officers, employees and
agents of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and officers of the
courts and, as the General Assembly may define and provide by law, may be
accorded rights to reasonable and appropriate notice, information, restitution,
protection, and access to a meaningful role in the criminal justice process.
These rights may include, but not be limited to, the following:
- The right to protection from further harm or reprisal through the
imposition of appropriate bail and conditions of release;
- The right to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness at all
stages of the criminal justice system;
- The right to address the circuit court at the time sentence is
imposed;
- The right to receive timely notification of judicial proceedings;
- The right to restitution;
- The right to be advised of release from custody or escape of the
offender, whether before or after disposition; and
- The right to confer with the prosecution.
This section does not confer upon any person a right to appeal or modify any
decision in a criminal proceeding, does not abridge any other right guaranteed
by the Constitution of the United States or this Constitution, and does not
create any cause of action for compensation or damages against the Commonwealth
or any of its political subdivisions, any officer, employee or agent of the
Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, or any officer of the
court.
| Contact Person: |
Lt. L.T. Turner (804) 674-2022. |
| Offenders Required to Register: |
Adult felony sex offenders, juvenile felony sex offenders convicted in
circuit courts after July 1, 1997, or any person who was required to register
prior to July 1, 1997. |
| Information Collected: |
Fingerprints and a photograph, DOB, SSN, current address and a description
of the offense or offenses for which he was convicted and shall, if applicable,
provide the same information on convictions prior to July 1, 1997, for any of
the specified offenses or under a substantially similar law of the United States
or any other state. |
| Administrating Agency: |
State Police. |
| Timeframe for Registration: |
Must register upon conviction, suspension of sentence; within 10 days of
release, 10 days of establishing new residence, 10 days of changing address and
within 10 days of establishing a first time residence. |
| Applies to Out of State Offenders: |
Yes |
| Duration of Requirement: |
Sexual offenders must register for 10 years; or may petition circuit court
for expungement from registry (if petition is denied, offender must wait 2 years
to file new petition). Sexually violent offenders as defined by statute must
register for life. |
| Verification of Address: |
Annual verification for sex offenders. Sexually violent offenders must
verify every 90 days. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance: |
Any sex offender who knowingly fails to register or reregister, or who
knowingly provides materially false information to the Sex Offender and Crimes
Against Minors Registry shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, any
person convicted of a sexually violent offense who knowingly fails to register
or reregister, or who knowingly provides materially false information to the
Registry shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. |
| Access to Information: |
Community notification is available to the public upon submission of request
form which must include justification for request of information. Certain
agencies or entities such as a licensed daycare facility, daycare center, school
system, or family daycare home provider are statutorily entitled to obtain this
notification. If entitled, you may register either by U. S. mail or on-line via
e-mail to obtain authorization and receive notifications. Those not so entitled
can still search for sexually violent offenders online. |
| Confidentiality Provision: |
Unauthorized dissemination is a Class 1 misdemeanor. |
| Number Registered: |
11,300 as of 7/30/02 |
| Percent Compliance: |
Not known* |
| Internet Access: |
http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/cool-ICE/ |
|
