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Sex Offender Registry

In 2001, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the Sex Offender Registry can require an offender to provide his/her home and work address, and this data can be transmitted to police departments. In addition, this information can be released to the public, but only after the offender has been properly classified at an administrative hearing. This ruling gave rise to the current version of the "Sex Offender Registry".

Why It Exists and How It Works

In July of 1994, a seven-year-old girl from New Jersey was raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender that lived across the street. In the light of this horrible incident, Congress passed an amendment to the Law Enforcement Act, which requires each state to establish some form of sex offender community notification program. The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board was created to comply with this law.

A person who either works, lives, or goes to school in Massachusetts, and who was convicted, adjudicated, incarcerated, on probation or parole or civilly committed for a sex offence on or after August 1, 1981, is required to register by law.

The individual's case is reviewed by a Board of experts including legal professionals, members of probation and parole and several psychologist and psychiatrists with special expertise in the field. The case is reviewed, and the Board classifies the sex offender using the 3 level system. Once classified, police departments are notified if the individual lives, works or goes to school in their town, and they in turn make this information available to the public.

How To Get Information

Any individual who qualifies as a sex offender is required by law to register with the Walpole Police Department if they live, work or go to school in Town. This information is available to the public via 2 avenues.

Come To The Station: Interested citizens can come down to the Walpole Police Station and view the departments' catalog of registered offenders after showing proper identification. The information is available at any time.

Over The Internet: In accordance with a Superior Court ruling, information about sex offenders who have been finally classified by the Board as a Level-2 (moderate risk) or a Level-3 (high risk), can be posted on the internet for the purposes of disseminating the information to citizens.

The following link will guide you directly to the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board where you will be able to access information immediately:

Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get information on local offenders? Yes. Information about registered sex offenders is available to the public at the Walpole Police Station or through the SORB website.

Can I share the information with my neighbors? Yes. Information obtained in accordance with the law can be shared.

What are the restrictions on the use of the information? The information shall not be used to commit a crime against a sex offender or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment.

What do the levels mean? There are 3 levels that are set by the degree of dangerousness they pose to the public and their likelihood for re-offense. Level-1-"Low Risk", Level-2-"Moderate Risk", Level-3-"High Risk".

Moving out of Massachusetts? Sex offenders must notify the Board at least 10 day prior to moving.

Moving into Massachusetts? Sex offenders must register within 2 days of moving in.

Starting a job in Massachusetts? Sex offenders must register within 2 days of beginning employment.

Moving from 1 address to another in Massachusetts? Sex offenders must notify the Board at least 10 days prior to moving.

Moving from 1 job to another in Massachusetts? Sex offenders must notify the Board at least 10 days prior to changing jobs.