Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get my name off the SOR (Sex Offender Registry) Alert Line calling list?
A:
If you wish to be removed from the SOR Alert Line, call 1-866-564-5652 and remain
on the line until someone answers the phone.
Q: How much information do I have to type to get a response from the website?
A:
Generally, the easiest way to search is by entering the minimum information needed. Typing
information in only one of the search fields will give you the most results. For
example, just entering the county name in the search field will list all offenders
registered in that county. You can then "click" on each offender that you want to view, and see
more specific information about them.
Q: Why do some offenders not have photos displayed on the website?
A:
Prior to April 11, 2000, offenders were not required to provide a photograph as part
of the registration process,. We are currently researching for old mugshot and
booking photos of these offenders so they can be added. This process is just
time consuming and in many cases the mugshot or booking photo is not available.
The pictures we find are being added to the site as they are located. Effective July 12, 2006
offenders will be required to return to the appropriate local probation and parole office not
less than one (1) time every two (2) years in order for a new photograph to be obtained. Once
the updated photographs have been received, the website will be updated accordingly.
Q: What can I do with the information I get from the Sex Offender Website?
A:
The information obtained from the website is considered to be public record and can
be freely disseminated to anyone, without fear of civil penalties (see KRS
17.580).
There is, however, a specific statutory restriction against using this
information to "Harass" a registered sexual offender and the website contains a
warning to prevent harassment. Kentucky law penalizes criminal harassment See
KRS 525.070 (Harassment) and KRS 525.080 (Harassing Communications) for additional information.
Q: How can I find out what the legal charge of RAPE 1st Degree or SEXUAL ABUSE 1st Degree actually mean?
A:
Follow the link to the Legislative Searching
Service, and type the charge name (i.e. Rape 1st) or the KRS number (i.e.
510.040) in the top search field, this will return the legal definition of that charge.
Q: What if I want to find out more details about what actually took place regarding this offenders
charge and conviction, where do I get that type of information?
A:
The information listed on the website is all the Kentucky State Police are allowed to release
about the offender. However, the Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a public access
court records system in the Circuit Clerk's Office at each county courthouse/judicial center. These
court records may be open to the public, and may provide details about the offender and the crime
he/she committed. However, only the Circuit Clerk in the county in which the offender was convicted
would have information on the offense. Also, if the offender was convicted in another state,
information concerning that conviction would not be available at a Kentucky Circuit Court and
would need to be requested from the state in which the offender was convicted.
Q: Have all of the offenders listed been convicted of committing crimes against children?
A:
No, pursuant to KRS 17.500 and 17.510, convictions for sex crimes against adult victims also require registration.
Q: What if I know of someone who I think was convicted of a sex crime, but the person is not listed on the website?
A:
Offenders are not registered until they are released from prison, so the offender may
still be incarcerated for the charge. To check for offenders still in prison,
click on the Department of Corrections KOOL link or call the VINE system
at 1-800-511-1670.
Keep in mind that many people are not actually convicted of the original charge brought against them.
In addition, offenders who move out of Kentucky to other states and have their registration transferred to
that state, are no longer "active" registrants in Kentucky, since they are not within our legal jurisdiction.
They must follow the offender registration laws of the state that they move to.
Q: Does everyone ever convicted of a sex crime have to register in Kentucky?
A:
No, only offenders convicted of statutorily covered crimes who fit the following criteria:
- Convicted after July 15, 1994; or
- Incarcerated or sentenced after July 15, 1998; or
- If the person is required to register in another jurisdiction (state, territory, federal) or
has committed an offense under the laws of another state or territory that would require
registration if committed in this Commonwealth; or
- If the person has been convicted of a sex crime or criminal offense against a victim who is
a minor under federal law, military law or the laws of another state, territory or other country; or
- If the person has been committed or designated as a Sexually Violent Predator under the laws of another state, territory or under federal law.
Q: Are all offenders listed on the site on some type of probation or parole?
A:
No, a majority of the offenders listed on the site are not currently being supervised by any state authority.
These offenders "served out" their sentences, or completed their probationary periods, and are now free to move around
and carry on their lives, as long as they continue to follow the requirements of the sex offender registration law.
Q: Is it illegal for registered offenders to live near schools or daycare type facilities or live in homes where children are present?
A:
KRS 17.545 prohibits registered sex offenders from living near schools, daycare facilities
and publicly owned playgrounds. These offenders are prohibited from living within 1,000 feet
of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned playground, or
licensed day care facility. The measurement is taken in a straight line from the nearest
property line of the school to the nearest property line of the registrant's place of residence.
In addition, offenders under supervision may be restricted by the conditions of their probation or
parole from living or working in areas where children are present, depending on the conditions placed
upon them by the sentencing judge or the parole board.
Q: Who is responsible for determining whether an offender lives within a thousand feet of a school?
A:
It is the duty of the registered sex offender to ascertain whether a school, daycare facility or
publicly owned playground is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the registrant's residence.
Q: What if a registered sex offender is already living at a given location and a new school,
daycare facility or publicly owned playground opens within one thousand (1,000) feet of the registrant's residence?
A:
If a new school, daycare facility or publicly owned playground opens within one thousand (1,000) feet of
the registrant's residence, the registrant shall be presumed to know of this and must move within ninety (90) days.
Q: What if a registered sex offender is already living at a given location within one thousand feet of a school,
daycare facility or publicly owned playground, but was not prohibited from living there under the law in effect prior
to July 12, 2006 because they were not on probation, parole or other form of supervised release?
A:
All registrants, regardless of whether or not they are on probation, parole or other form of supervised
release, residing within one thousand (1,000) feet of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool,
publicly owned playground, or licensed day care facility must move and comply with KRS 17.545 before October 11, 2006.
Q: What is the penalty if a registered sex offender lives within one thousand feet of a school,
daycare facility or publicly owned playground in violation of KRS 17.545?
A:
Any person who violates KRS 17.545 shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense
and a Class D felony for the second and each subsequent offense.
Q: What's the difference between the LIFETIME & TEN YEAR registrants?
A:
An offender’s length of registration is based on a number of statutory requirements,
which include: the type of offense they were convicted of, whether they have multiple convictions,
a history of convictions for crimes that constitute sexual offenses or who have been convicted of
specified crimes against victims who are minors.
Two registration periods are established by statute, lifetime and twenty years. Lifetime registrants
must, of course, register for the rest of their lives. Lifetime registration is mandatory for offenders
convicted, released, or registered after April 11, 2000 for the crimes of: Rape 1st Degree; Sodomy 1st Degree;
Kidnapping or Unlawful Confinement of a Minor (except by a parent); those convicted of a sex crime who have
prior convictions of specified offenses; those convicted of two or more felony criminal offenses against victims who are minors;
all offenders moving into Kentucky and registering from another state or anyone designated as a Sexually Violent Predator
in another jurisdiction. All other registrants must register for twenty years.
Twenty-year registrants must register for 20 years following discharge from confinement or for 20 years
following the maximum discharge date on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, parole or other
form of early release, whichever is greater.
If offenders are re-incarcerated, their time on the registry is placed on "hold" while they are incarcerated,
and resumes again once they are released.
Q: Will those registrants who are currently classified as ten-year registrants have their
designation changed to twenty years?
A:
No. Offenders already on the registry prior to July 12, 2006 who are classified as ten-year registrants
will retain that designation unless they are convicted of an additional offense that would require
a different registration designation.
Q: How do you get the offender's addresses and what happens if they move?
A:
Registered sex offenders report their address to the Department of Corrections prior
to their release from prison, or the Division of Probation & Parole upon being
assigned probation or moving in from another state. The information is collected on
a standard offender registration form, which the offender must sign, and is then
forwarded to the Kentucky State Police for inclusion in the database and placement on the website.
If an offender decides to move, he/she must report the address change to the local Probation & Parole
office on an address change form prior to actually moving. This form is then forwarded to the
Kentucky State Police for updating the offender's records, including the website.
If an offender moves without following the proper procedure, and it is discovered,
then he/she is considered to be "Non-Compliant" and is subject to being charged with a
Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for each subsequent offense.
The offender’s address can be obtained from the website. If you suspect an offender has moved from
the address listed on the website, you should report this suspected violation to the law enforcement agency
that serves your area so that an investigation may be conducted.
Q: How are offender's addresses verified?
A:
The address verification procedure is conducted by sending an address verification form to the
offender’s registered address, which must be signed by the offender and returned within 10 days.
Lifetime registrants have their addresses verified every 90 days, while the addresses of ten-year
and twenty-year registrants are verified annually.
If an offender fails to respond to the address verification form, they are deemed non-compliant
and local authorities are notified. The offender is then subject to being charged with a Class D
felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for each subsequent offense.
Q: Are registrants required to provide updated photographs?
A:
Yes. KRS 17.510(4) provides that registrants are required to return to the appropriate local
probation and parole office not less than once every two years in order for a new photograph to be obtained.
The registrant must pay the cost of updating the photo for registration purposes.
Q: Where do I report information regarding criminal activity on the part of a registered sex offender?
A:
You can report tips on suspected criminal activity of a non-emergency nature to your local law
enforcement agency (police department, sheriff, or nearest Kentucky State Police post). Never
submit information of an emergency nature via this website. In the event of an emergency,
please dial 911 or telephone your local law enforcement agency immediately.
For specific legal definitions of charges, please use the Kentucky Legislature's Legislative Searching Service. Enter the charge title or KRS statute number in the
"Kentucky Revised Statutes" search field and click Search.
