Most people believe you have to be convicted of a sex crime in order to be required to register as a sex offender in Illinois. Registration is both time-consuming and detrimental to the quality of your life because it means having:

• to register annually;
• to inform law enforcement every time you move to a new city;
• restrictions on where you live;
• restrictions on where you work;
• restrictions on who you live with;
• restrictions on where you go for leisure; and
• restrictions on social media use.

That's a lot to contend with. Unfortunately, some people may be required to register as a sex offender even when they haven't been convicted of a sex crime. Here's what you should know if you have any concerns about being required to register as a sex offender in the Chicago metropolitan area. 

What Crimes Require You to Register as a Sex Offender?

Anyone who has been convicted of a sex offense or an attempt to commit a sex offense must register in Illinois as a sex offender. The Sex Offender Registration Act, codified under 730 ILCS 150 et. seq., defines a sex offense as a violation of any of the following (including the attempt to commit):

• Aggravated child pornography
• Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
• Aggravated criminal sexual assault
• Child pornography
• Criminal sexual assault
• Criminal sexual abuse
• Custodial sexual misconduct
• Exploitation of a child
• Grooming
• Indecent solicitation of a child
• Juvenile pimping
• Keeping a place of juvenile prostitution
• Patronizing a juvenile prostitute
• Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child
• Promoting juvenile prostitution
• Ritualized abuse of a child
• Sexual exploitation of a child
• Sexual misconduct with a person with a disability
• Soliciting for a juvenile prostitute
• Traveling to meet a minor.

Other crimes, too, not necessarily codified as a sex crime require registration if:

1. the victim was under 18 years of age;
2. the offender is not the parent of the victim; and 
3. the offender was sexually motivated to commit the offense.

These additional crimes include:

• Kidnapping
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Unlawful restraint
• Aggravated unlawful restraint, and
• Luring a child.

A person convicted of first-degree murder and who is released must also register. 

When Are You Required to Register Despite No Sex Crime Conviction?

A conviction of one of the above-listed sex crimes or sexually motivated crimes is not the only reason you will be required to register as a sex offender in Illinois. Other adjudications require registration, like:

• a finding of not guilty of a sex offense by reason of insanity;
• a finding other than an acquittal of a sex offense;
• a finding of a juvenile as a delinquent for an offense that would require an adult to register as a sex offender;
• an adjudication of a person described sexually dangerous or sexually violent.

If you have been charged with a sex crime or another crime that the prosecutor argues was sexually motivated, you need aggressive yet smart legal representation. Contact an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer in the Chicago metropolitan area as soon as you are charged.