Concerned Ohioans Complain About Homeless "Loophole" in Sex Offender Law

October 04, 2012

Upon release from prison, sex offenders in Ohio are required to register with law enforcement in the communities in which they reside. As part of the registration requirements, sex offenders must provide a fixed address or a detailed description of the places they are staying.

But what about those sex offenders in Ohio who have no current address? Homelessness is an endemic problem among those convicted of sex crimes. In fact, many people say that offenders are driven to the street by the harsh registration requirements alone. While some claims of homelessness among sex offenders are genuine, some Ohio citizens are noticing that sex offenders are dodging registration by falsely claiming to be homeless.

Sex Offenders Have Trouble Finding Housing

According to one government study, law enforcement officials do not know the location of approximately one in five sex offenders. Many of these sex offenders are truly homeless, and it is easy to see why.

Ohio's sex offender registry is public information, and many employers ask about a job applicant's status as a felon. Sex offenders often have difficulty finding employment, and without a steady income, affording housing can be a challenge. Even when a sex offender is able to find a landlord willing to rent to them, many communities in Ohio have local ordinances restricting where sex offenders can live. These laws prevent sex offenders from living within a certain distance of schools, daycare centers, playgrounds and other areas where children gather. Sometimes, these restrictions can essentially rule out all viable housing options in a given community.

Because of these housing restrictions, sex offenders are permitted to register as "homeless" rather than having to list a permanent address as their place of residency. Local authorities usually require homeless sex offenders to list an intersection nearest to where they sleep.

The realities of being registered as a sex offender can create many roadblocks to finding adequate housing, although it is not impossible to do so. Nonetheless, some Ohio officials believe many sex offenders are residing in local homes and apartments and claiming to be homeless. Whenever sex offenders claim homeless status, it can be difficult for law enforcement officers to track them down and verify their whereabouts.

Only Way to Fight Registry Consequences Is to Fight Sex Crime Conviction

If you are convicted of a crime requiring registration as a sex offender, you might not have to worry about falsely claiming to be homeless; it might actually be your reality. Conviction as a sex offender can carry significant consequences. The only sure way to circumvent these consequences is to avoid conviction in the first place, which is why staging a strong defense to sex crime charges is so important. If you have been accused of a sex crime, get in touch with a criminal defense attorney today. A criminal defense attorney will provide you with the defense that you are entitled to and ensure that your rights are protected.

Article provided by Scott Law Firm, LPA
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