Threats to the safety of our children are a growing problem in Arizona, and around the world.  After the recent arrest of a dangerous sex offender I felt the desire to offer some additional information about our sex offender laws in Arizona, and to pose some questions for us to consider.  There are ways for each one of us to help protect the community, and keep our neighborhoods safer. Do you talk with your children?  Do you use the available resources to see if you have sex offenders in your area?  Are you vigilant about your surroundings?  Are you involved in your neighborhood block watch?  Do you call crime stop if you observe something unusual happening in your community? 

     The above circle shows the impact an offender has on victims, family’s, the community and society as a whole.  During one of my trainings we were required to make a list of everyone who is affected in the circle of violence.  It was astonishing how many people are affected by one act of violence.  The list goes on and on….So when does the cycle stop?  The case of Phillip Gallido inspired me to write this article so let’s imagine where the cycle of violence began.   We can’t make this determination because we know little of about where he came from.  We do know he had prior victims.  He was convicted of kidnapping and rape and sentenced to fifty-years in prison, but was released after ten years.    Think about the circle he had prior to kidnapping Jacyee Lee Dugad.   Who would you put in the circle?  Jacyee herself, her children, her family biological and the one she spent a good part of her life with, neighbors, law-enforcement, law-enforcements family, those responsible for releasing him, correctional treatment programs, and the list is never ending.  We must work together on this issue.  If you have questions or want to report a crime and are afraid or not willing to discuss it with the police, call our company and we will assist you in any way we can.  If you are a victim of a sexual offense or other dangerous crime please call immediately to discuss your case in full privacy.  For more information contact www.tinvestigations.com  

For anyone else who is reviewing this information, please refer to your state statutes for sex offender laws in your area.  The information provided is not new and is taken from Arizona revised statute 13-3821 through 13-3827.

Sex offender notification for neighborhoods and communities:

The following is a brief summary of Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3821 through 13-3827:

A sex offender is a person who has been convicted of a violation or attempted violation of any of the following offenses, including but not limited to:

• Sexual Abuse if the victim is under the age of 18

• Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Sexual Assault

• Molestation of a Child

• Child Prostitution

• Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Before releasing the offender from incarceration, the Arizona Department of Corrections in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and each county sheriff may complete the registration of any convicted sex offender. After releasing a sex offender from incarceration, the Department of Corrections has three days to forward the convicted sex offender’s records to the county sheriff’s office and the state department of public safety. Upon conviction, sex offenders have 10 days to register with the county sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office will then notify the local police department in the area where the sex offender intends to reside.

Guidelines:

A committee comprised of adult probation officers, county attorneys, sheriffs, chiefs of police and legislators has implemented specific community notification guidelines. The guidelines provide for levels of notification based on the risk that a particular sex offender poses to the community.

Level III:  poses a high risk to re-offend

Level II:  an intermediate

Level I:   a low risk.

The notification requirements are as follows:

For Level III offenders, the notification shall be made to the surrounding neighborhood, area schools, appropriate community groups, and an offender’s prospective employer. A flyer will include a photo of the offender, an exact address, as well as a summary of the offender’s status and criminal background. A press release will be given to television and newspaper media. If a level three offender fails to register, a warrant is issued and the community is notified.

For Level II offenders, the notification may be made to the immediate neighbors, schools, appropriate community groups and prospective employers. The notification may include a flyer with a photo, and address of the general area where the offender will be residing as well as a brief summary of the offender’s status and criminal background. Notification may be made if the offender fails to register and a warrant is issued.

For Level I offenders, the local law enforcement agency that is responsible for the notification shall maintain information about the offender. The local law enforcement agency may distribute this information to other law enforcement agencies and may give notification to the people with whom the offender resides. Notification may be made if the offender fails to register and a warrant is issued.

What you should know...

Sex Offenders are required to register if they were convicted of the following:

• Any offense or attempted offense outlined on the previous page.

• Any other offense where the Court specifically orders registration.

Juvenile sex offenders prosecuted as adults are required to register. This requirement may be terminated upon successful completion of probation. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has established and maintains an Internet sex offender web site for offenders whose risk assessments have been determined to be Level II or Level III. The purpose of the web site is to provide sex offender information to the public and includes the offender’s current photo, name, date of birth, notification level, exact address, and offense committed.

www.azsexoffender.com

After an offender has registered, the driver’s license or identification card the offender carries is only valid for one year from the date of issuance. Every year, the offender must show proof of a current address and have a current photo taken. The motor vehicle department makes a copy of the photograph available to the criminal identification section at the Department of Public Safety or to any law enforcement agency. If you need to know additional information, details about the offender can be found in court documents at the Clerk of the Superior Court, Court Record Information section in the Central Court Building basement, located at 201 W. Jefferson in Phoenix, Arizona.

Failing to register and sentencing:

Failure to Register is a class four felony offense. A convicted sex offender, who fails to register, faces a maximum of lifetime probation or serves a term in the Department of Corrections of 1 to 3.75 years, or longer with prior convictions. If an offender has one prior felony conviction, he/she can face 2.25 to 7.5 years in the Department of Corrections. Probation is not available. If an offender has two or more prior felony convictions, he/she can face 6 to 15 years in the Department of Corrections. Probation is not available. The requirement to register is a lifetime requirement regardless of the sentence received. Homeless and transient offenders must still register.