Since 2013, the Massachusetts has changed a number of laws related to the classification and reclassification of Massachusetts sex offenders, especially for Massachusetts Level 2 sex offenders.
For those individuals seeking sex offender reclassification in Massachusetts, it is important to be aware of these changes. Where reclassification hearing were once decided entirely on paper by the entire Sex Offender Registry Board, each reclassification request will now result in a hearing to be held in front of three hearing examiners.
As Fox25 Boston and other news outlets have reported, Supreme Judicial Court Justice Ralph Gants ruled in July that pictures of moderate-risk Level 2 sex offenders can be posted on the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board website, as long as they were classified after the law went into effect on July 12.
The battle over publicizing information about Level 2 sex offenders online hit the Supreme Judicial Court Tuesday, where the state’s public defenders sought an injunction barring the state from putting the information on the Internet.
Names, pictures and crimes of high-risk Level 3 sex offenders in Massachusetts are already online, but it’s not so easy to find out about one of the more than 6,000 Level 2 offenders, those deemed a moderate risk to re-offend. That information can be obtained only by physically visiting a police station.
The law to publicize Level 2 offender information was part of the new budget, signed into law this month by Gov. Deval Patrick.
It’s not known how many Level 2 sex offenders have been classified since July 12 and when the Sex Offender Registry Board will put that information online.
Justice Gants referred the case to the full Supreme Judicial Court, which recently heard arguments on whether to place Massachusetts Level 2 sex offenders on the Internet and will decide the case in early 2014.
Of the possible outcomes, the court may decide to place all Level 2 sex offenders online or it may limit Internet dissemination to individuals receiving a classification or reclassification decision after July 12, 2013.
As a result of the legislature’s recent changes to Level 2 sex offenders in Massachusetts, it is important for Level 2 sex offenders in Massachusetts to consult with a Massachusetts sex offender attorney about the possibility of seeking sex offender reclassification.
In light of these changes, many Level 2 sex offenders are seeking reclassification, leading to a backlog of cases. If you are interested in seeking reclassification, please contact Attorney Crouch at (617) 441-5111 or email him to set up a free, initial consultation. To request further information please contact us.
