Sex Offender Community Notification Information
On June 1, 1996, Arizona adopted its version of “Megan’s Law” by enacting the Sex Offender Community Notification statutes, Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3825. While records indicate that Arizona had laws regarding sex offender registration as early as 1939, never before has so much emphasis been focused on the sex offender population.
Community Notification Process
The community notification process in Arizona is triggered by a sex offender’s release from jail/prison or sentenced to probation. When this occurs, the respective county adult probation agency or Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to enter information about the offender into a statewide accessible database. One portion of this information involves the sex offender risk assessment.
The risk assessment is a screening tool designed to provide criminal justice practitioners with the ability to predict a sex offender’s risk of recidivism. The Arizona risk assessment evaluates nineteen different criteria that have been identified by treatment experts as good predictors of future behavior. Each criterion is evaluated and assigned a point value, which ultimately is totaled for recommending an appropriate community notification level of Level 1 (Low Risk), Level 2 (Intermediate Risk) or Level 3 (High Risk). Although probation agencies and DOC provide law enforcement agencies with a recommended community notification level, the local law enforcement agency may choose to complete its own risk assessment to ensure accuracy.
Once the appropriate community notification level is established, the local law enforcement agency is required to complete a community notification in accordance with A.R.S. §13-3825, Para. C. “The community notification requirements are as follows: 1. For level one offenders who have been convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 and for level two and level three offenders, the notification must be disseminated in a nonelectronic format to the surrounding neighborhood, area schools, appropriate community groups and prospective employers and, if the offender has legal custody of a child, the child’s school. The notification must include the offender’s photograph and exact address and a summary of the offender's status and criminal background. A press release and the notification containing all required offender information must be given to the local electronic and print media to enable information to be placed in a local publication.”
Successful community notification is dependent upon three factors: communication, education, and a zero tolerance approach to harassment or vigilantism. Often the public does not understand how or why a sex offender is moving into their neighborhood. As such, it is the responsibility of all appropriate criminal justice agencies to engage in a collaborative effort to provide accurate and meaningful information to the public. To facilitate this exchange of information, many law enforcement agencies conduct public meetings and attend “Block Watch” meetings to answer questions and relieve fears.
Finally, a zero tolerance approach regarding harassment and vigilantism reinforces the true meaning of community notification: to empower the public with knowledge that can be used to protect themselves and their families from becoming victims.
For additional information on Arizona laws not listed in this section go to the Arizona Revised Statutes website.
Report Information
If you have information to report regarding a convicted sex offender who resides in Yuma County, please contact:
YCSO Records Department
160 S. 3rd Avenue, Suite B
Yuma, AZ 85364
Tel: (928) 329-2254
Fax: (928) 539-7891
Email: SOCompliance@ycso.yumacountyaz.gov
OR you can also contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Compliance Team
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Sex Offender Compliance
Mail Drop # 9999
P.O. Box 6638
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638
Tel: (602) 255-0611
