Quarterly sex offender verification period underway

The quarterly verification period for tier 3 sex offenders began April 1. During this period, state law requires all tier 3 registered offenders to report in person to their local police department, sheriff’s office, or nearest Michigan State Police post to verify their address.

The Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act requires tier 1 offenders to verify their address annually, during the first 15 days of January and July. Tier 2 offenders must verify their address semi-annually, during the first 15 days of January and July. Tier 3 offenders must verify their address quarterly, during the first 15 days of January, April, July and October. Failure to do so carries a penalty of up to two years of incarceration.

All registered sex offenders must also report a change of name, address, employment, campus enrollment, internet identifiers and vehicle within three business days of any change. Failure to do so is four-year felony.

The Sex Offenders Registration Act allows for the arrest of an offender who is not in compliance with the Act’s reporting requirements. Violators may be arrested during a traffic stop or any other contact with law enforcement. Additionally, law enforcement agencies conduct random address checks to verify offender compliance.