How to Use a Sex Offender Map

As per the Jacob Wetterling Act of 1994, all criminals living in the United States who pled guilty to or were convicted of certain sexual offenses must register as sex offenders. In accordance with Megan’s Law, passed in 1996, the information in the registration database has been made accessible to the public. The chief purpose of this measure was to ensure public safety, especially that of children, from sex offenders. All information about certain sex offenders is now available from state records as well as a central repository of records. Some states also give their citizens the option of displaying a map of sex offender locations in a certain area.

Using a Sex Offender Map Search

A sex offender map search usually provides the option to enter a particular address and choose a search radius. The results will display all sex offenders living within the chosen radius of the address entered. To use these services, you must visit the specific sex offender search tool of your state of residence. The procedure of conducting the search is quite similar across all states but there may be certain small variations in the details. Almost all US states have some form of a sex offender map, making the search easy and convenient no matter where you are.

Sex Offender Maps Across the US

To access an Arizona sex offender search, visit http://az.gov/app/sows/home.xhtml. Here you will find several search options. If you choose to search by address or zip code, the website will display a map and reveal all details of the registered sex offenders located within a particular radius of your chosen location.

If you wish to access the sex offender map of California, visit http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/Search.aspx?lang=ENGLISH. The site offers an interactive sex offender map, located at the right side of the page. You can click on any county and the site will display the details of any registered sex offenders located in the area.

A comprehensive sex offender map of Colorado is available at http://www.colorado.gov/apps/cdps/soma/index.jsp. You can choose to zoom in on a particular area and view the details of any registered sex offenders located in that area.

You can conduct a search for sex offenders in Ohio at http://www.esorn.ag.state.oh.us/Secured/p21_2.aspx. At the bottom of the webpage is a section that offers the option of searching for registered sex offenders located within a particular radius of a given street name, city, or zip code.

When searching online for Texas sex offenders, you can specify certain parameters, such address, county, and zip code. To use this service, visit https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/PublicSite/Search/index.aspx?PageIndex=Search&SearchType=Address for an address search, https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/PublicSite/Search/index.aspx?PageIndex=Search&SearchType=County for a county search, and https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/PublicSite/Search/index.aspx?PageIndex=Search&SearchType=Zipcode for a zip code search.

To use the mapping system of the Maryland Sex Offender Registry, visit http://sorm.towson.edu/mapview/.