Megan’s Law for California
updated 3/2/2023
| Contact Person: | Art Rodriguez Department of Justice (Phone) 916-210-3113 |
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| Offenders Required to Register: | California registers adult, juvenile (adjudicated in juvenile court and sent to a state level incarcerating facility) sex offenders, as well as, out of state residents required to register for certain offenses (in other state) that come to California to reside, attend school, visit, or work. |
| Information Collected: | Address information on all residences, transient locations frequented, campus information (if applicable), fingerprints, palm prints, photos, vehicle information, drivers license information, occupation, employment data, scars, marks, tattoos, and other identifying information including blood and saliva samples for DNA analysis. |
| Administrating Agency: | State Department of Justice, local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The local LEAs are the actual registering agencies. The registering agencies have the ability to update the DOJ’s California Sex and Arson Registry database with specified registration information |
| Timeframe for Registration: | Registered sex offenders are required to update their information annually, within five working days of their birthday. Some sex offenders must update more often: transients must update every 30 days, and sexually violent predators, every 90 days. The California Sex and Arson Registry keeps track of the next required update, and if a registered sex offender is in violation of the update requirements, the Internet web site will show the registrant as being in violation, if the registrant is legally required to be displayed on the public Megan’s Law website. |
| Applies to Out of State Offenders: | Yes, this applies to both adults and juvenile offenders as well as federal and military convictions, for certain convictions. |
| Duration of Requirement: | As of January 1, 2021, California transitioned to a tier-based registration system, with registrants subject to registration for a duration of 10 years, 20 years, or life, depending on their underlying sex offense and other criminological factors. Individuals registering for a juvenile adjudication of a sex offense will be subject to registration for a duration of 5 years or 10 years. The registration period runs from the date of release from custody on their most recent qualifying sex offense. Registrants who wish to be relieved from the duty to register must go through a petitioning process in California superior or juvenile court. |
| Verification of Address: | Offenders update their registration information every time they change their address and thereafter, annually. Registrants must provide proof of address at the time of registration. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance: | There are various criminal penalties that apply to persons who fail to comply with the sex offender registration requirements. In general, a person convicted of a registrable felony sex offense who willfully violates the registration law is guilty of a felony. A person convicted of a registrable misdemeanor sex offense who violates the registration law is guilty of a misdemeanor on the first violation, and subsequent convictions for violating the registration law are felonies. |
| Access to Information: | In December of 2004, the California Department of Justice made available the “Megan’s Law Internet Web Site.” This web site displays photos, provides offender information, and contains a mapping component that allows a person to search for sex offenders, who are legally required to be displayed on the Megan’s Law website. The map displays the address (if applicable) of the sex registrant. Furthermore, designated law enforcement agencies may provide information to the community about any person required to register as a sex offender by whatever means the entity deems appropriate, when necessary to ensure the public safety. Registrants are displayed on the public Megan’s Law website pursuant to Penal Code Section 290.46. |
| Confidentiality Provision: | Anyone who uses this information to commit a felony shall be punished by a five-year term of imprisonment in the state prison. Any person who uses this information to commit a misdemeanor shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000. |
| Number Registered: | 106,601 as of 3/2/2023 |
| Percent Compliance: | 86,921 registrants (82%) are in compliance with registration requirements as of 3/2/2023 |
| Internet Access: | California Megan’s Law Website |