Sex Offender Punishments in Georgia

The punishments for sex offenders are intense, and some are lifelong. If charged with a sexually based crime, contact one of our Sex Offender Lawyers in Georgia to discuss your case.

There are a variety of punishments an individual may face if deemed a sex offender. The first is having to register as a sex offender. A person who registers will remain on the list for life. A person who is on the sexual offender registry has restrictions on where they are allowed to live, work and even visit. Other than registering as a sex offender, the individual will likely face a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines.

Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in Georgia

If you are required to register as a sex offender and fail to do so, there will be severe repercussions. A first conviction for failing to report your address is punished by a prison term between one and thirty years.

A second conviction for failing to register will be a prison term between five and thirty years.

However, there are defenses that apply to your case. For more information, visit our failure to register as a sex offender page. 

Persons Convicted On and after July 1, 2008

People convicted after July 1, 2008, that are required to register as a sex offender have certain limitations on where to live, work, and volunteer. Their restrictions include:

• Individuals on the list are not allowed to reside within 1,000 feet of any childcare, church, school, or another area where minors congregate.
• No individual on the sex offender registry shall be employed or volunteer at a child care center, school, church, or other business that is located within 1,000 feet of a school, church, or child care facility.
• No individual who is a sexually dangerous predator shall be employed by or volunteer at any business that is located within 1,000 feet of an area where minors congregate.

A person who knowingly violates this will be guilty of a felony with the penalty being a prison term between ten and thirty years. O.C.G.A. §42-1-15

If an individual owns or leases real property and resides on that property and a child care facility, church or school or area where minors congregate locates itself within 1,000 feet of such property, they will not be guilty of a violation. Furthermore, if the individual has establishment employment at a location and a child care center, church, or school locates itself within 1,000 feet of such employment, no violation has been committed.

Persons Convicted Between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008

Any individual who committed an act where they were required to register as a sex offender between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008 shall not:

• Reside within 1,000 feet of any childcare, church, school, or other area where minors congregate.
• Be employed by any child care center, school, church, or other business that is located within 1,000 feet of a school, church, or child care facility.

A person who knowingly violates this will be guilty of a felony with the penalty being a prison term between ten and thirty years. O.C.G.A. §42-1-16

However, a person will not be guilty of violating the statute if they owned or leased real property before a child care facility, school, or area where minors congregate is built within 1,000 feet of such property. Furthermore, if the individual has establishment employment at a location and a child care center, church or school locates itself within 1,000 feet of such employment, no violation has been committed.

Persons Convicted Between June 4, 2003 and June 30, 2006

Any individual who committed an act where they were required to register as a sex offender between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008 shall not reside within 1,000 feet of any childcare, school, or area where minors congregate.

A person who knowingly violates this will be guilty of a felony with the penalty being a prison term between one and three years. O.C.G.A. §42-1-17

However, a person will not be guilty of violating the statute if they owned or leased real property before a child care facility, school or area where minors congregate is built within 1,000 feet of such property.

What is Considered an Area Where Minors Congregate?

O.C.G.A. §42-1-12 states that areas where minors congregate include all public and private parks and recreation facilities, playgrounds, skating rinks, neighborhood centers, gymnasiums, school bus stops, public libraries, and public and community swimming pools.

Restriction on Taking Pictures of Minors

In addition to staying away from places minors frequent, any person registered as a sexual offender shall not intentionally photograph a minor without consent from the minor's parent or guardian. A person convicted of this offense will be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. O.C.G.A. §42-1-18

Contact Us

Being labeled as a sex offender is most people's worst nightmare. People often are unaware that there are defenses applicable to their case and they may be able to avoid having to register. Contact one of our highly trained criminal lawyers in Georgia today to discuss your situation. We understand the punishments sex offenders face and want to help you stay off the registry. We can also help you if you have violated one of the conditions of being on the registry. No matter what you have been charged with, you can count on our Georgia Sex Offender Attorneys. Call now.