How are sex offenders classified?
There are three levels, based upon an offender’s risk of committing another sex crime and harm to the community: Level 1 (low), Level 2 (moderate), and Level 3 (high). As a general rule, the sentencing court will determine an offender’s risk level at the time of sentencing (in probation cases) or at the time of release from custody (in jail or prison cases). When an incarcerated offender is set to be released into the community, the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders will evaluate the case and provide a risk level recommendation to the court. The court will hold a risk level hearing and assign a level to the offender prior to release. The risk level determines how much information can be provided to the community. There are also three designations that may be assigned to a sex offender: sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. These designations, along with risk level, govern the length of time that an offender must register. Click here for a chart of ris
