Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Sex Offender Registry.

Ratings

Information Provided

This criterion pertains to the information about the sex offenders and the crimes they committed. This information varies by state, but may include name, address, physical description, crime location, conviction date, offense committed and so forth.

Search Functions

Each sex offender registry site offers a function that allows you to search the database. The most important search categories include zip code, county, city and last name. More in-depth searches filter offenders by risk level, offense, gender, etc.

Additional Site Features

The state sex offender registry sites provide the public with useful information like safety tips and legal definitions. The site may provide some additional features like a geographical map with points of interest and the option of printing a sex offender's profile.

Ease of Use

As with any service, state-run sex offender registries should be user friendly. We considered various aspects including Google page rank, ease of navigation and accessibility to the site.

Contact Information

Most states provide contact information so you can contact the authorities with questions, comments or information regarding absconders.

Information Provided: PROFILE DETAILS

Name

The site contains the first, last and middle name of each sex offender.

Alias Names

The site contains any aliases the sex offender uses.

Photo

The site has a quality picture of each sex offender.

Date of Birth/Age

The site has the sex offender's age or birth date.

Registered Address (home)

The site has the current registered address of each sex offender's place of residence.

Employer/School Address

The site includes the sex offender's work and/or school addresses.

Gender

The site provides the sex offender's gender.

Race

The site provides the sex offender's race.

Height

The site lists the sex offender's height.

Weight

The registry provides the sex offender's weight.

Eye Color

The website includes the sex offender's eye color.

Hair Color

The site provides the sex offender's hair color.

Scars, Marks & Tattoos

The sex offender's profile includes descriptions of identifying marks.

Vehicle

The site includes the make, model, color and sometimes the license plate number of the sex offender's vehicle.

Sex Crime Name

The sex offender's profile includes the crime they committed.

Description of Sex Crime

In addition to the crime committed, the profile includes more detailed information about the crime like the age and sex of the victim, his or her relationship to the offender and how the crime occurred.

Conviction Date

The offender's profile has the date he or she was convicted of the crime.

Crime Location

The site provides the location where the crime took place.

Crime Date

The site provides the date when the crime occurred.

Incarceration Release Date

The offender's profile includes the date when he or she will be released from jail if applicable.

SEARCH FUNCTIONS

Zip Code

You can search for sex offenders residing in a particular zip code.

County

You can filter your search by offenders living in a selected county.

City

You can search the database for sex offenders within a city.

Last Name

You can search the sex offender database by last name.

First Name

You can search the sex offender database by first name. (Note: often the last name is also required when using this option.)

Offense

You can search the sex offenders by a certain offense they have committed.

Registered Address

You can search the registry to see if an offender lives at a specific address.

Work Address

You are able to search the database of offender by their work address.

School Address

You can see if there are sex offenders that attend or work at a school.

Race

You can search the database for sex offenders of a particular race.

Gender

You can search the database for just male or just female sex offenders.

View All Entries

You are able to view all of the sex offender profiles in the state.

Absconders

You can view the profiles of the absconder offenders (those who failed to register).

Offenders Convicted Out of State

You can view the offenders that were convicted in a different state.

Juvenile

You can sort out and view just the juvenile offenders.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone

You can contact the agency in charge of the sex offender registry by phone.

Email

The state provides an email address so you can contact them with questions or comments about the registry.

Address

The state agency's address is listed on the website.

FAQs

The site posts frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the sex offender registry on their website.

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