Tribal Sex Offender Registration Code: 2017 Revised Version

• NCJ Number: 250646
• Date Published: March 2017
• Length: 29 pages
• Agencies: SMART
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Legislative/Regulatory Material; Legislation/Policy Description

Annotation

The U.S. Justice Department's Office of Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) presents this Revised Model Tribal Sex Offender Registry Code/Ordinance for use by tribes in complying with the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Abstract

In this report's introductory comments, it advises tribes that this revised model should be used as a starting point for implementing SORNA, since its implementation will be unique to each jurisdiction, as it should reflect the distinctive laws, processes, population, land, and traditions of each tribe. This report includes drafting tips that encourage tribal leaders to consider other relevant issues as they discuss any potential code/ordinance development. A chapter on "General matters" addresses title, purpose, creation of registries, and applicability. A chapter on "terminology and registerable offenses addresses definitions and registerable offenses. The "tiering of offenses" in a third chapter characterizes each of three tiers. A chapter on "required information" addresses general requirements; frequency, duration, and reduction; requirements for in-person appearances; and the sex offender acknowledgement form. The chapter on "registration" discusses where registration is required, timing of registration, retroactive registration, keeping registration current, and failure to appear for registration and absconding. The features of a public sex offender registration website are outlined in another chapter, followed by chapters on immunity and crimes and civil sanctions for failure to register as a sex offender and other offenses.