Definition of a sex offender

Top definition. A sex offender is a person who has been criminally charged and convicted of, or has pled guilty to, a sex crime. A crime requiring mandatory sex offender registration can be anywhere from downloading pornographic material of persons under the age of 18 off the internet child pornography to rape and even non sexual offenses such as kidnapping, may require registration. The term sexual offender is a broad term, with sexual predator being used to describe a more severe physical or repeat sexual offense. Sexual offenders are also sometimes classified into levels, where the highest level offenders have the most aggravating crimes and thus, the most risk to the public and usually must register as a sex offender for their entire lives. Low level sexual offenders may serve only a probationary sentence and only register for 10 years as well as having less restrictions placed on them compared to higher lever offenders.

A sex offender is a person who is convicted of a sexual offense. Sexual offenses includes such crimes as rape, sodomy, and sexual abouse. Most states have laws, which vary by state, on registration of sexual offenders. A registered sex offender is defined as a person who exhibits characteristics showing a tendency to victimize or injure others and has been convicted of a sex crime listed in the relevant state statutes, has been convicted of attempting to commit one of those crimes, or has been found guilty except for insanity of one of those crimes. The registered sex offenders are required to notify the local community authorities of their residence so that the public may have access to information about sexual predators in their neighborhood. Rape is generally defined as sexual intercourse with a person by forcible compulsion; or sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated; or sexual intercourse with an underage person. Sodomy is defined similarly to rape, except that it involves deviate sexual conduct, as opposed to intercourse.

See more words from the same year. More Definitions for sex offender. See the full definition for sex offender in the English Language Learners Dictionary.

A sex offender registry is a system in various countries designed to allow government authorities to keep track of the activities of sex offenders , including those who have completed their criminal sentences. In some jurisdictions, where sex offender registration can, registration is accompanied by residential address notification requirements. In many jurisdictions, registered sex offenders are subject to additional restrictions, including on housing.