Families of SOs Community Group
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So my father was charged with molesting me when I was 4 years old in California. I do not remember the outcome but my mom tells me that he was convicted... I have tried to look it up on the county site but it doesn't show any information. All I know is that my dad does not register as a RSO and hasn't for as long as I can remember. How does he get away with this? How can I get more information on the case? Any help would be appreciated
The way to find out information is via the court system. If you know the county of conviction you can request the records for this case. My guess is that he plead to a lesser offense that was non-register-able or for a lesser amount of time (CA was not always lifetime registration) and was removed from the registry before the lifetime law was enacted.
I would be surprised to learn that even a long time ago there was any wiggle room to plead to a lesser offense involving a child at that age.
Not all registrants are on the California Megans Law web site. Lesser crimes (typically misdemeanor offenders) are not posted, and certain registrants may petition for exclusion. These are typically cases when the offender is a direct family member and the offensive conduct did not involve penetration. The person is still required to register, though.
MrsHarlock - sorry to hear about your past experience. If you are looking for understanding and support there are many wonderful people here who will go out of their way to help you. You were wronged and the offender needed to be held accountable. For that there are judges and sentences. But if you are advocating for the lifetime punishment and shaming that we on this forum know the registry to be I think you are in the wrong place.
If you live in the county where the offense happened, then go to the county courthouse. Go to clerk of courts office and request the records. It probably will cost you money for a search fee and for copies.
Then if you want police reports you will need to go to the police agency who took the report. This info should be in court records. Police reports are public accessable after the court case is closed. Which in your situation should be the case.
With all this information you will definately know why he isnt on the register. My guess is he plead to a charge not covered by the registry.
You have every right to find out this information. I hope that you can find closure with the info you get.
Not everyone is listed publicly. Although there are no 'tiers' in CA certain low level offenses are not published publicly (about 30%). But everyone who falls in the public category is displayed regardless of conviction date.
By law the public registry is to display the last date of conviction and release. Of course it does not as the the administrative task of data entry is overwhelming. Plus this makes it look like everyone is a dirty old man. What is not to love?
The oldest dates I have come across from a purely random approach was a conviction date of 1951 and a last release date of 1952. The profile notes that the specific registrant has no subsequent felony convictions.