North Dakota Reviewer's Comments

North Dakota offers one of the better sex offender registry sites in the country. It includes detailed crime information, risk designations, and an interactive map to provide the necessary tools for safer communities. North Dakota also provides a glossary of terms for a more complete understanding and email alerts. North Dakota has responded well to its residents’ concerns, delivering the right information in the right format. 

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Information Provided:  

North Dakota posts information on sex offenders who are lifetime registrants or have been designated as high-risk offenders. Risk level is clearly indicated on each profile including a clear designation of Sexually Dangerous Individuals as defined by the state. Details include a physical description, name and home address and photo. However, distinguishing marks like scars and tattoos, vehicle information, and work/school addresses are omitted.

Like New York, each profile includes a sentence that describes the crime(s) committed. The description typically includes the age and gender of the victim and how the crime was committed. For example, one profile reads, “CORRUPTION OF MINOR – JOHN SUPPLIED ALCOHOL AND COCAINE TO A 17–YEAR–OLD FEMALE, AND THEN FORCED HER TO HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.” 

North Dakota updates the profile information as it is received—all day, every day—from criminal justice agencies. 

Search Functions:  

You can conduct a basic search by name and geographical location. North Dakota is one of the few states to include an advanced search to limit your results by physical description like race, weight, height, sex and eye and hair color. Finding sex offenders using the map function is equally useful. North Dakota’s interactive map has color-coded icons to identify offenders, multiple offenders, sexually dangerous offenders and incarcerated offenders. Running your cursor over an icon gives you the name of the offender and links to the profile.

Note: The State of North Dakota requires sex offenders to submit email addresses and social networking information. Although an electronic identity search is not currently available, it may be feasible. Currently only Florida and Arizona make electronic identity available on their websites. 

Additional Site Features:  

The North Dakota Sex Offender Registry website also has some basic legal information and a printer–friendly PDF registry. North Dakota is one of only 10 states to offer email updates on specific sex offenders. In addition to a relevant FAQs page, North Dakota also features a glossary—the only sex offender registry glossary we’ve come across—which is a resource to help community members more fully understand the information contained in this registry.

Visit the Other Offender Links page to learn more about child safety from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children including direct links to NetSmartz with content designed for parents, teens and children,  and Cyber Tipline, a public reporting mechanism for cases of sexual exploitation.

Ease of Use:  

The site is exceptionally easy to use and clearly labeled. It is designed to address the concerns of individuals. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Privacy Disclosure from Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem who informs visitors about specific information gathered and its use. 

Contact Information:  

You can contact the North Dakota State Office of Attorney General by phone or email. 

Summary:  

The North Dakota Sex Offender Registry offers the two standard searches: by offender and through mapping. The site offers more information in both profiles and searching capabilities than many other states. Well-designed and useful, this site is a credit to the state and reflects a strong commitment to the safety of North Dakota residents.