In some cases, your duty to register as a sex offender ends automatically after 10 or 15 years without having to go to court.
In most cases, however, you will have to petition the court to remove your registration requirement under Washington law.
To do this, you have to file your petition in the county where you were convicted of the underlying sex offense, unless you committed your crime in federal court or outside Washington.
How long do you have to wait before you can file your petition?
The length of time depends on three (3) factors:
- The type of conviction
- The place of conviction
- Whether you were convicted as an adult or juvenile
Waiting Period - 15 Years
Felony Adult conviction in non-Washington State Court
Felony Adult conviction in Military Court
Felony Adult conviction in Tribal Court
Felony Adult conviction in Federal Court (in Washington or outside Washington)
Class B Adult felony convictions
Waiting Period - 10 Years
Class A Adult felony convictions in Washington State Court
Class B Adult felony convictions in Washington State Court
Waiting Period - 5 Years
Class A Juvenile felony conviction in WA State Court if defendant was between 15-18 years old at the time of the crime
Waiting Period - 2 Years
Class A Juvenile felony conviction in WA State Court if defendant was between 12-15 years old at the time of the crime
Class B Juvenile conviction in WA State Court
Class C Juvenile conviction in WA State Court
Gross Misdemeanor Juvenile conviction in WA State Court
Juvenile felony conviction in Federal Court and the crime was equivalent to a Class B or Class C felony if committed in WA
Juvenile felony conviction in Tribal Court and the crime was equivalent to a Class B or Class C felony if committed in WA
Juvenile felony conviction in Non-WA State Court and the crime was equivalent to a Class B or Class C felony if committed in WA
How do you calculate the waiting period?
This waiting period means you have spent this many consecutive years in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense.
