If you have been placed on Florida’s sex offender registry you may be wondering, “what are sex offenders not allowed to do in Florida?” At Buda Law, we’re here to help answer this question and more, giving you a bit more insight into what you can and can’t do following a sex crime conviction.
In Florida, individuals on the sex offender registry face strict limitations on where they can live and work, primarily to protect the minor children that live in their communities. The law also requires sexual offenders to regularly report their personal information, including their address, phone number, internet handles, email addresses, and more to authorities, and failure to comply can result in additional punishments.
If you’re accused of violating the sex offender registry requirements, or if you have been accused of a sex crime, contact Tampa sex crime defense attorney Andrew Buda at Buda Law today. Our law firm can help defend against a variety of sex offenses and can help guide you through the legal process.
Don’t leave your future up to chance. Call (813) 322-2832 today to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our dedicated legal team.
Florida Sex Offender Laws
The sex offender laws in Florida include F.S. § 775.215 and F.S. § 943.0435, each of which outline different requirements for those on the Florida sex offender registry and the penalties for noncompliance. Under Florida law, someone convicted of a qualifying sexual offense would be restricted from:
- Living within at least 1,000 feet of a school, park, playground, or other public place where children congregate
- Working anywhere where children are regularly present, such as schools, daycares, zoos, libraries, etc.
Additionally, they would be required to:
- Report to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours of their release from prison to register as a sex offender, reporting information such as their:
- Name
- Age
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Race
- Sex
- Height
- Weight
- Tattoos or other identifying marks
- Hair and eye color
- Address of any permanent or temporary residence (a post office box number cannot be provided in place of a residential address)
- Make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of any vehicle(s)
- Phone number
- Email addresses
- Internet handles
- Fingerprints
- Palm prints
- Photograph
- Report to the sheriff’s office in-person at least twice a year to reregister.
- Provide law enforcement with at least 48 hours notice before moving or traveling out of state or at least 21 days notice before moving or traveling out of the country.
- If moving out of the state (whether permanently or temporarily), they must report to that county’s sheriff’s office within 48 hours of the date they stated they would leave Florida to notify local law enforcement of their intent to stay.
According to F.S. § 948.30, the court may also impose additional conditions on a sex offender as a result of their probation or for community control. Some of these include mandatory completion of a sex offender treatment program, a mandatory curfew, and only supervised contact with children.
After a sex crime conviction, it’s extremely difficult to get off the sex offender registry. That’s why, if you are facing accusations of a sex crime in Florida, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney in Tampa to help you secure a not-guilty verdict and help you avoid the collateral consequences of being named a sex offender. Experienced defense attorney Andrew Buda of Buda Law can provide you with the skilled defense you need to combat the charges against you and pursue the best possible outcome.
Where Can a Sex Offender Work?
In Florida, registered sex offenders have a lot of places where they can work. In fact, it’s much easier to list the places where they cannot work. In general, they cannot have jobs in places where children regularly congregate. Sexual offenders are allowed to work most office jobs and blue-collar jobs that do not involve caregiving.
What Jobs Are Sex Offenders Not Allowed to Have?
Under Florida sex offender registration laws, sexual offenders are not allowed to work in jobs that involve direct contact with minors. This restriction includes positions at schools, child care facilities, parks, playgrounds, and other places where children commonly gather.
Additionally, sexual offenders may face limitations in sectors such as healthcare, social services, law enforcement, and other positions due to licensing restrictions and background checks that can prevent them from securing certain roles.
Can a Sex Offender Work for the Government?
It depends. While there are no laws preventing sex offenders from working for the federal government (so long as they aren’t working around children), local and state agencies may have restrictions on hiring individuals on Florida’s sex offender registry. Additionally, being convicted of a sex crime, especially a felony crime, could negatively effect a person’s hireability, especially in important government roles.
Can Sex Offenders Have Kids?
Yes, an individual labeled as a sexual offender in Florida can have one or more children. There are no laws prohibiting sexual offenders from becoming parents. However, sexual predators or those convicted of offenses involving minors may face restrictions on custody, visitation rights, and contact with other children.
Can a Sex Offender Be Around Kids?
In general, a sex offender in Florida may be able to spend time around kids for a short period, but they cannot live near areas where children congregate, nor can they work with children. However, if their offense involved a minor, they may have other restrictions placed on them.
Are Sex Offenders Allowed Around Family?
Sex offenders in Florida may face certain limitations on being around family, particularly if family members include minors. While no law specifically prohibits sexual offenders from being around their adult family members, those convicted of sex crimes involving minors may be restricted from unsupervised contact with children, even if they are related to the kids.
Can Sex Offenders Live Near Parks?
No, a sex offender cannot live near a park in Florida. Florida state law restricts individuals on the sex offender registry from living within 1,000 ft of parks and playgrounds, which are places that children congregate.
How Far Do Sex Offenders Have to Live From a School?
In Florida, sexual offenders must live at least 1,000 feet away from any park, school, playground, or other area where children commonly gather. Some Florida counties have local ordinances that increase this distance to 2,500 ft. This restriction is in place to minimize the risk of contact between registered sex offenders and minors.
Where Can Sex Offenders Live in Florida?
A registered sex offender or sexual predator can live anywhere that is far enough away from a park, school, playground, or other place where children congregate in order to comply with state and local laws. These restrictions can greatly limit housing options for sexual offenders, often confining them to specific neighborhoods or areas that meet the distance criteria.
Can a Registered Sex Offender Live With a Child?
It depends. While no law outright prohibits a sexual offender from living with their own children, courts and child welfare agencies may impose specific conditions or limitations based on the nature of the offense and perceived risk to the child. In some cases, supervised visitation or restrictions on unsupervised contact may be required to ensure the child’s safety.
Can a Sex Offender Go to the Beach in Florida?
There are no specific laws preventing sexual offenders from going to the beach in Florida, but some beaches or local municipalities may have ordinances restricting offenders from going to public places where children gather, like the beach. Additionally, individual offenders may have restrictions placed on them based on the nature of their sexual offenses, especially if they involve minors.
Can Sex Offenders Go to Parks?
Registered sex offenders in Florida may be able to go to parks, but they cannot live near them. Additionally, local laws can prohibit sexual offenders from entering parks and playgrounds, so it’s important for offenders to know what they are allowed to do within their community.
Can Sex Offenders Go to Bars?
There are no specific Florida laws prohibiting sex offenders from going to bars. However, those on sex offender probation or parole may have certain restrictions on where they cannot go while on probation or parole.
While Florida’s restrictions surrounding sexual offenders often focus on locations where children congregate, they do not focus on locations where vulnerable adults congregate.
Can a Sex Offender Leave the State?
Yes, a person convicted of a sexual offense can leave the state, but they must comply with specific reporting requirements. In Florida, sex offenders are generally required to inform local law enforcement of their intent to move or travel at least 48 hours in advance.
Failing to report this information can lead to additional penalties, not only in Florida, but in other states and territories as well.
Where Can Sex Offenders Not Go?
Once again, in Florida, sex offenders can be restricted from going to certain areas, especially places frequented by minors, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, and daycare centers, especially if they are on probation or parole. Additionally, some local laws may add restrictions on other locations, like community centers or libraries, where children often gather.
An experienced criminal defense attorney like Andrew Buda can provide guidance on specific restrictions based on the offender’s case, probation terms, and local ordinances, helping to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws.
Can Sex Offenders Have Social Media?
There are no laws prohibiting individuals on the Florida sex offender registry from having social media accounts. However, certain offenders may have restrictions and guidelines placed on them regarding their use of the internet, computer, or social media, especially if they were convicted of crimes involving minors.
Accused of a Sex Crime in Tampa, FL? Call Buda Law for a Free Consultation Today
At Buda Law, our Tampa criminal attorneys defend against sex crimes and a variety of other related criminal offenses, including offenses related to sex offender registry noncompliance. If you are facing sex offense allegations, Attorney Andrew Buda is here to investigate the circumstances of your case, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
If you are already a registered sex offender or sexual predator and have been accused of not complying with sex offender registration requirements, our law firm will provide you with the legal support you need. We’ll examine the specific allegations against you, review your compliance history, and work to identify any errors or misunderstandings that may have led to the accusation.
Every detail matters when defending against sex crimes and sex offender registry offenses, and we’re committed to providing the rigorous representation needed to secure the best possible outcome. Call (813) 322-2832 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with us regarding your case.