Representing Ohioans since 1983
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Sex Offender Registration & Notification (SORN)
Sex Offender Registration and Notification (i.e. SORN) laws are designed to require those convicted of sex offenses to be branded such that the public can identify them. Unfortunately, these laws do little to show the number of people taking pleas out of pragmatism or fear of being convicted merely from an accusation.
Below we outline Ohio's SORN registration requirements. This is merely a primer on the subject, however, as there are many nuances which your attorney will have to explore on a case-by-case basis to ensure you are properly registering or to help you avoid registration requirements to the degree that is a possibility as part of your defense.
What are Ohio's SORN (Sexual Offender Registration Notification) requirements?
The Sexually Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) is the general obligation of individuals convicted of sexually oriented offenses to register their address of residence for public awareness.
In Ohio, the timeline and obligation to register as a sex offender vary based upon the offense. Oftentimes, the public lumps these all into the same category, but there are relatively minor offenses for which there remain registration requirements for offenders.
1.00. Tier I Sex Offender / Child-Victim Offender.
Tier 1 registrants are the shortest registerers, as they must register once a year for a period of fifteen years. This requirement can be reduced by five years if certain conditions are met by the offender. (Pursuant to R.C. 2950.01(E) Rev. April 4, 2023).
R.C. 2907.06 - Sexual Imposition
R.C. 2907.07 - Importuning
R.C. 2907.08 - Voyeurism
R.C. 2907.22 - Promoting Prostitution
R.C. 2907.32 - Pandering Obscenity
R.C. 2907.05 (A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(5) - Gross Sexual Imposition
R.C. 2907.323 (A)(3) - Illegal Use of Minor or Impaired Person
R.C. 2907.211 (A)(3) - Dissemination of Image of Another Person
R.C. 2905.03 (B) - Unlawful Restraint
R.C. 2905.05 (B) - Criminal Child Enticement
R.C. 2907.09 (B)(4) - Public Indecency - (If the sentencing court classifies the offender as a tier I sex offender / child victim offender relative to that offense pursuant to R.C. 2907.09(D).
2.00. Tier II Sex Offender / Child-Victim Offender.
Tier 2 registrants are the middle tier of registerers, as they must register every six (6) months for a period of twenty-five (25) years. (Pursuant to R.C. 2950.01(F) Rev. April 4, 2023).
R.C. 2907.21 - Compelling Prostitution
R.C. 2907.321 - Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor or Impaired Person
R.C. 2907.322 - Pandering Sexually Oriented Matters Involving a Minor or Impaired Person
R.C. 2907.04 - Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor (*also see statutory caveats.)
R.C. 2907.05 (A)(1) - Gross Sexual Imposition
R.C. 2907.323 (A)(1), (A)(2) - Illegal Use of Minor or Impaired Person in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance
R.C. 2905.01 (A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(5) - Kidnapping (if committed with a sexual motivation)
R.C. 2905.02 (B) - Abduction
R.C. 2919.22 (B)(5) - Endangering Children
R.C. 2905.32 - Trafficking in Persons (*also see statutory caveats.)
3.00. Tier III Sex Offender / Child-Victim Offender.
Tier 3 registrants are the longest registerers, as they must register four (4) times a year for life. (Pursuant to R.C. 2950.01(G) Rev. April 4, 2023).
R.C. 2907.02 - Rape
R.C. 2907.03 - Sexual Battery
R.C. 2907.05(B) - Gross Sexual Imposition (GSI)
R.C. 2903.01 - Aggravated Murder (if committed with a sexual motivation)
R.C. 2903.02 - Murder (if committed with a sexual motivation)
R.C. 2903.11 - Felonious Assault (if committed with a sexual motivation)
R.C. 2903.04 (A) - Involuntary Manslaughter (if committed with a sexual motivation)
R.C. 2905.01(A)(4) - Kidnapping (if victim is under 18 years old)
R.C. 2905.01(B) - Kidnapping (if victim is under 18 years old)