The registration and tracking of sexual predators and offenders is a function of the Criminal Investigations Division. Detectives work collectively with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Probation and Parole within Florida Department of Corrections to ensure that these predators and offenders comply with the terms of their probation and/or the applicable local, state or federal laws. Detectives also provide community notification and address verification services on offenders and predators and partner with the patrol division to perform regular checks of the offenders and predators at their residence.
Requirements & Penalties
The Jessica Lunsford Act (JLA) enhances and strengthens Florida’s Sexual Offender and Predator Registration Laws. The JLA resulted in tougher registration requirements and increased penalties for violations. The JLA also provides much stricter penalties for persons who assist sexual predators and offenders in avoiding compliance with the requirements of the law.
Requirements
Sexual predators must report in person four times a year and offenders must report in person twice a year to the Sheriff’s Office in the county in which he or she resides. Failure to comply with this requirement is a 3rd degree felony. The reporting and registering requirements apply both to sexual predators and offenders who have been released from sanctions for their qualifying sex offense, as well as those under some form of supervision with the Department of Correction. All Sex Offender registrations will be conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Penalties
- Failure to correctly report to an address verification letter from FDLE by the specified date is a 3rd degree felony.
- Valid vehicle and employment information (if applicable) must be provided to law enforcement during Re-Registration. Failure to comply is a 3rd degree felony.
- The Jessica Lunsford Act is a criminal offense for anyone attempting to hide sexual offenders or predators from law enforcement officials. Commission of this is a 3rd degree felony.
Requests for information on sexual predators or offenders can be directed to either the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at www.fdle.state.fl.us or the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (904) 548-4093.
