PC290-Registrants

Registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act (Penal Code 290) is one of the most devastating penalties you face if convicted of a sex crime in California. It’s certainly understandable why someone would willingly fail to register instead of complying with the law…registering as a sex offender potentially subjects you to ridicule, potential physical abuse, difficulties in securing housing and employment, and ultimately, isolation.

It’s also certainly possible that you didn’t knowingly fail to register, that you didn’t willfully fail to register, or that you were falsely accused of failing to register. If you have the misfortune of suffering a conviction based on a failure to register as a sex offender under Penal Code 290(b), California law imposes strict penalties that will only further frustrate your attempts to try to reclaim a “normal” life.

There are multiple crimes that require Penal Code 290 registration. These include both felonies and misdemeanors, ranging from indecent exposure (Penal Code 314) to sexual battery (Penal Code 243.4). The most effective way to avoid the requirements of Penal Code 290 is to win the underlying case or convince the prosecutor or judge to take Penal Code 290 registrtion off the table.

If you are facing a charge where a conviction requires Penal Code 290 registration or if you have been charged with not registering as required by Penal Code 290 contact our dedicated San Diego criminal defense lawyer, Patrick Griffin for a free consultation.