Massachusetts Sex Offender One Stop Resource

Resource Website for Massachusetts Registered Citizens

Failing To Register

Failing To Register As A Sex Offender: A Crime With Serious Consequences

The failure to register as a sex offender in Massachusetts can result in very serious and in some cases life-altering penalties. Under the present statute, sex offenders will be prosecuted for violating the law if they knowingly:

      1) Fail to register;
      2) Fail to verify registration information;
      3) Fail to provide notice of change of address, place of employment, or institution of higher learning; or
      4) Provide false information.

The penalties for the above-referenced violations are:

Imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not more than 2 1/2 years in a house of correction nor more than 5 years in state prison or by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by both. Certain unclassified and Level 1 offenders and all Level 2 and 3 offenders shall receive a term of community parole supervision for life in addition to any sentence or fine imposed. A second and subsequent conviction for failing to register will result in imprisonment in state prison for not less than five (5) years.

Certain sex offenders convicted of the crime of failing to register will receive a term of community parole supervision for life in addition to any sentence or fine imposed.

Updated: February 12, 2017 — 12:18 am