MARYLAND SEX OFFENDERS

COST OF REPORT:  $9.95   [ORDER ONLINE]

Offenders Required To Register:  Sex crimes against adults, convicted after July 1, 1997; adult child sex offenders, convicted after October 1, 1995. A total of 3 categories of offenders: sexual offender (low risk); sexually violent offender (high risk); sexually violent predator (high risk).

Information Collected:  Place of employment, description of crime, date convicted, jurisdiction of conviction, aliases, social security number, fingerprints, photograph, physical address.

Timeframe for Registration:  Within 7 days of release or establishing residence in the state.

Applies to Out of State Offenders:  Yes

Duration of Requirement:  10 years.

Verification of Address:  Yes - offenders must register annually.

Penalties of Non Compliance:  Misdemeanor subject to imprisonment for up to 3 years, fine of up to $9.95,000 or both.

Victims' Rights in the 50 States

We need a constitutional amendment that gives victims the same dignity, respect, and rights afforded the other players in the criminal justice system. A constitutional amendment for victims' rights includes four basic rights:

1.      the right to be treated with dignity and respect,

2.      the right to be informed;

3.      the right to be present; and

4.      the right to be heard throughout the criminal justice process.

A brief description of the evolution of America's criminal justice system explains the disparity in rights. At the dawn of our history, the colonies adopted the English common law tradition of private prosecutions that guaranteed crime victims the right to initiate and prosecute criminal cases. As the criminal justice system evolved, public prosecutors representing the interest of the state displaced private prosecutions, effectively excluding victims from participation. U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s expanded upon the rights of criminal defendants, thereby eliminating any semblance of balance for crime victims.

Every year, 43 million Americans are victimized by crime. Four amendments to the U.S. Constitution specifically address defendants' rights, yet crime victims are never mentioned. It is an unfortunate irony that constitutional rights created to protect the innocent now shield the guilty. If we treated offenders as shabbily as we treat victims, it would be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

A 1982 Presidential Task Force recommended that the United States Constitution specify fundamental rights for victims of crime. In April 1996, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Representative Henry Hyde (R-OH) introduced the victims of crime constitutional amendment. On June 25, President Clinton endorsed a victims' rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Twenty-seven states have amended their constitutions to include crime victim amendments, with an average approval rating of 80 percent. A 1991 national public opinion poll found that nine out of ten Americans support an amendment to their state's constitution that would increase victims' rights.

When high profile killers purchase their freedom and convicted baby murderers gain release after serving a minimal sentence, faith in the criminal justice system is undermined by a fear of retribution. When only nine percent of reported violent crimes are resolved with the perpetrator being incarcerated, criminal justice is perceived as justice for criminals. When this perception infects the majority of innocent people, the process is eroded by a reluctance to cooperate, which fosters still more criminal activity. According to U.S. Attorney- General Janet Reno, "Our criminal justice system will never be truly just until victims of crime have as many rights as criminals."

We should never lightly amend the United States Constitution. However, victims of crime will never be fairly treated by a system that does not afford them equal fundamental rights, and that can only be achieved through constitutional amendment. Thomas Jefferson eloquently stated the need to occasionally modify the ultimate law of the land: "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered, and manners and opinions change; with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times."

Megan's Law in All 50 States

On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law . Megan's Law goals include:

1. Sex Offender Registration - Each state and the federal government are compelled to register individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes against children. Sex offender registration laws are necessary because: sex offenders pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody; protecting the public from sex offenders is a primary governmental interest; the privacy interests of persons convicted of sex offenses are less important than the government’s interest in public safety, and release of certain information about sex offenders to public agencies and the general public will assist in protecting the public safety.

2. Community Notification - Each state and the federal government are compelled to make private and personal information on convicted sex offenders available to the public. Community notification is based on the presumption that: it will assist law enforcement in investigations; establish legal grounds to hold known offenders; deter sex offenders from committing new offenses, and offer citizens information they can use to protect children from victimization.

The criteria for implementing Megan's Law are left up to the states as long as they follow certain specific guidelines which results in disparities among states.
             
NOTE:  If you submitted your request to us and did not provide a zip code for us to search, then we have searched under the zip code of the address that you provided when you signed up to use our services. If you need a different zip code checked, please contact our offices at 1-800-315-7678.
                      
If you have the name of a particular individual whom you would like us to
check, again, please call our offices and we can usually tell you if they are registered as a sex offender in your state. We can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. MST.  1-800-315-7678
  
This information is updated regularly, to try to assure that it is complete and accurate.  However, this information can change quickly.  You are cautioned that the information provided in this site search is information of record and may not reflect the current residence, status, or other information regarding a registrant (offender).
       
Sex offenders have always lived in our communities; but it wasn't until the passage of the sex and child offender registration act that the law enforcement even knew where they were living. In many cases, this information is now available to enhance public safety and protection.
         
WARNING: Abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated. Further, such abuse could potentially end the ability to provide this information. We believe the only person who wins if this ends is the offender, since sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.

Or contact customerservice@sexoffendersusa.com by e-mail.