Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can any Law Enforcement Agency register a sex offender?
2. Can a citizen provide information to the Department of Public Safety and have the information on the web page modified?
3. If the Internet isn’t accessible, how can someone obtain sex offender registration information?
4. What criteria are needed to register as a sex offender?
5. I believe there is a sex offender living in my neighborhood. What steps should I take to make sure he/she is placed on the web page?
6. Who decides which sex offenders get placed on the web page?
7. How often is the information on the web page updated?
8. Why are some work addresses released and others are not?
9. Are all registered sex offenders going to be released on the web page?
10. Where does a sex offender need to go to register?

1. Can any Law Enforcement Agency register a sex offender?
   
   The local county sheriff is responsible for registering sex offenders residing within their county.
   
   
2. Can a citizen provide information to the Department of Public Safety and have the information on the web page modified?
   
   Although information provided by the public is greatly appreciated and it can also be very useful to law enforcement, only the information provided by the local sheriff’s office could be used to update or alter the web page.
   
   
3. If the Internet isn’t accessible, how can someone obtain sex offender registration information?
   
   Most public libraries offer the Internet service along with most universities and colleges. The Department of Public Safety provides the public with the capability to search the sex offender web site at our main office at 4491 Cerrillos Road located in Santa Fe. A person who wants to obtain sex offender registration information may also request that information from the:
   
   
   1. County sheriff for the county in which the sex offender resides;
   2. Chief law enforcement officer for the municipality county in which the sex offender resides;
   3. District attorney for the judicial district county in which the sex offender resides; or
   4. Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Bureau (Santa Fe).
   
   
4. What criteria are needed to register as a sex offender?
   
   To register as a sex offender you must be 18 years of age, be convicted of a sex offense on or after July 1,1995, or be convicted of a sex offense prior to July 1,1995, and who, on July 1,1995, were incarcerated or on probation or parole.
   
   
5. I believe there is a sex offender living in my neighborhood. What steps should I take to make sure he/she is placed on the web page?
   
   We have set up an e-mail address so the public can voice their concerns and questions. If you provide us with as much information about the individual in question, we will determine if he/she meets the sex offender registration criteria.
   
   
6. Who decides which sex offenders get placed on the web page?
   
   The legislators are responsible for the new sex offender registration laws, which went into effect July 1, 2000. The home page has a link to the New Mexico State Statute.
   
   
7. How often is the information on the web page updated?
   
   The sex offender is required to notify their local sheriff's office of any changes to their home and/ or employment address. The sex offender is also required to re-register annually. All the changes will be made as the information is received by Department of Public Safety and by the local county sheriff's office.
   
   
8. Why are some work addresses released and others are not?
   
   The work address belonging to a sex offender is released if he/she will come into direct contact with children.
   
   
9. Are all registered sex offenders going to be released on the web page?
   
   No, not all the sex offenders meet the criteria to be placed on the web page.
   
   
10. Where does a sex offender need to go to register?
    
    A sex offender needs to register with the sheriff's office in the county that they reside. A list of Sheriff Department phone numbers and locations are provided on the web site home page.