Title 28—Judicial Administration--Volume 1
PART 811—SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION
§ 811.1   Purpose and scope; relation to District of Columbia regulations.
(a) In accordance with its sex offender registration functions authorized by section 166(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2000 (Pub. L. 106-113, sec. 166(a), 113 Stat. 1530; D.C. Official Code secs. 24-133(c)(5)) and as further authorized by the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999 (“the Act,” D.C. Law 13-137, D.C. Official Code, secs. 22-4001 et seq. ), the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (“CSOSA”) operates and maintains the sex offender registry for the District of Columbia. The regulations in this part set forth procedures and requirements relating to registration, verification, and changes in information for sex offenders who live, reside, work, or attend school in the District of Columbia.
(b) Chapter 4 of Title 6A, District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR)(47 D.C. Reg. 10042, December 22, 2000), contains regulations issued by the government of the District of Columbia for the sex offender registration system in the District of Columbia (“District of Columbia regulations”). Chapter 4 of Title 6A, DCMR (47 D.C. Reg. 10042, December 22, 2000) is incorporated by reference in this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Chapter 4 of Title 6A, DCMR, is available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Copies of Chapter 4 of Title 6A, DCMR, may be obtained from the District of Columbia's Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances, 441 4th Street, NW., Room 520S, Washington, DC 20001. CSOSA hereby adopts all powers and authorities that the District of Columbia regulations authorize CSOSA to exercise, and hereby adopts all procedures and requirements that the District of Columbia regulations state that CSOSA shall adopt or carry out, including but not limited to all such powers, authorities, procedures and requirements relating to registration, verification, and changes in information.
§ 811.2   Applicability.
(a) Sex offender registration requirements apply to all persons who live, reside, work, or attend school in the District of Columbia, and who:
(1) committed a registration offense on or after July 11, 2000;
(2) committed a registration offense at any time and were in custody or under supervision on or after July 11, 2000;
(3) were required to register under the law of the District of Columbia as was in effect on July 10, 2000; or
(4) committed a registration offense at any time in another jurisdiction and, within the registration period (see §§ 811.5 and 811.6), entered the District of Columbia to live, reside, work or attend school.
(b) “Committed a registration offense” means that a person was found guilty or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a registration offense or was determined to be a sexual psychopath. Registration offenses are defined in section 2(8) of the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999 (D.C. Official Code § 22-4001(8)), subject to the exceptions in section 17(b) of that Act (D.C. Official Code section 22-4016), and are listed descriptively in the Appendix to Part 811 (which also provides information on registration and notification classes). Any future revision to the statutory provisions designating registration offenses will be effective notwithstanding the timing of any conforming revision of these regulations, including the Appendix.
§ 811.3   Notice of obligation to register.
(a) Sex offenders may be notified of their obligation to register under various provisions of law. See sections 4, 6 and 8 of the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999 (D.C. Official Code sections 22-4003, 4005, 4007) (relating to notice by the District of Columbia Superior Court, Department of Corrections, or CSOSA); 18 U.S.C. 4042(c) (relating to notice by Federal Bureau of Prisons and probation offices); 18 U.S.C. 3563(a)(8), 3583(d), 4209(a) (inclusion of registration requirements as conditions of release under federal law); 42 U.S.C. 14071(b)(1) (notice under federal law standards for state sex offender registration programs).
(b) In some cases, sex offenders may not be notified of their obligation to register. Lack of notice does not excuse a failure to register because sex offenders have an independent obligation to register. Persons who have been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a sex offense or who have been determined to be a sexual psychopath should report to CSOSA in order to ascertain whether they are required to register.
§ 811.4   Determination of the obligation to register and the length of registration.
(a) If the Superior Court finds that a person committed a registration offense, the Superior Court enters an order certifying that the person is a sex offender and that the person is subject to registration for a prescribed period of time (see § 811.6).
(b) If a court order has not been entered certifying that a person is a sex offender and that the person is subject to registration for a prescribed period of time, CSOSA makes those determinations. CSOSA also determines the notification classification if the Court has not done so. Facts on which CSOSA's determination may be based include:
(1) The offense or offenses of conviction (or finding of not guilty by reason of insanity) or a determination that the person is a sexual psychopath;
(2) For certain offenses, facts that may not be apparent on the face of the conviction (or finding of not guilty by reason of insanity), such as:
(i) the age of the victim;
(ii) whether force was involved; or
(iii) whether the offense involved an undercover law enforcement officer who was believed to be an adult;
(3) Prior criminal history;
(4) For an offense committed in or prosecuted under the law of another jurisdiction, whether the offense involved conduct that was the same as or substantially similar to a District of Columbia registration offense; and
(5) The amount of time that has elapsed as computed under § 811.6.
§ 811.5   Commencement of the obligation to register.
(a) A sex offender's obligation to register starts when the sex offender is found guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity of a registration offense or is determined to be a sexual psychopath. However, CSOSA may suspend registration requirements during any period of time in which a sex offender is detained, incarcerated, confined, civilly committed, or hospitalized in a secure facility.
(b) A sex offender must register if the sex offender is placed on probation, parole, supervised release, or convalescent leave, is conditionally or unconditionally released from a secure facility, is granted unaccompanied grounds privileges or other unaccompanied leave, absconds or escapes, is otherwise not detained, incarcerated, confined, civilly committed, or hospitalized in a secure facility, or enters the District of Columbia from another jurisdiction to live, reside, work, or attend school. Registration shall be effectuated as provided in § 811.7 and may be carried out prior to the occurrence of a circumstance described in this paragraph, including the release of or granting of leave to a sex offender.
§ 811.6   Duration of the obligation to register.
(a) Lifetime registration. The registration period for a sex offender who is required to register for life shall end upon the sex offender's death.
(b) Term of years registration. (1) The registration period for any other sex offender shall end upon the expiration of the sex offender's probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave, or ten years after the sex offender is placed on probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave, or is unconditionally released from a correctional facility, prison, hospital or other place of confinement, whichever is latest.
(2) In computing ten years, CSOSA will not count:
(i) Any time in which the sex offender has failed to register or otherwise failed to comply with requirements of the Act or any procedures, requirements, rules, or regulations promulgated under the Act, including these regulations and the District of Columbia regulations;
(ii) Any time in which a sex offender is detained, incarcerated, confined, civilly committed, or hospitalized in a mental health facility; and
(iii) Any time in which a sex offender was registered prior to a revocation of probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave.
(3) In computing ten years, CSOSA will count any time in which a sex offender was registered in another jurisdiction unless that time is not counted because of a circumstance set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(c) Reversal, vacation, or pardon. A person's obligation to register terminates if the person's conviction, finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, or finding that the person is a sexual psychopath is reversed or vacated, or if the person has been pardoned for the offense on the ground of innocence, and the person has committed no other offenses for which registration is required.
(d) Termination of obligation to register in the District of Columbia under other circumstances. A sex offender's obligation to register in the District of Columbia terminates if the sex offender no longer lives, resides, works or attends school in the District of Columbia. However, the obligation to register in the District of Columbia resumes if the sex offender re-enters the District of Columbia within the registration period to live, reside, work or attend school.
§ 811.7   Initial registration.
(a) Duties of sex offender. (1) A sex offender must notify CSOSA within 3 days of the occurrence of any circumstance described in § 811.5(b), including but not limited to being sentenced to probation, being released (including any escape or abscondance) from incarceration or confinement, or entering the District of Columbia to live, reside, work, or attend school.
(2) A sex offender must meet with a responsible officer or official, as directed by CSOSA, for the purpose of registration, and must cooperate in such a meeting, including:
(i) Providing any information required for registration and cooperating in photographing and fingerprinting;
(ii) Reviewing information obtained by CSOSA pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section as CSOSA directs and either attesting to its accuracy or setting forth in writing, under penalties of perjury, the exact portion or portions that are not accurate; and
(iii) Acknowledging receipt of information concerning the sex offender's duties under the Act, including reading (or, if the sex offender cannot read, listening to a reading of) and signing a form or forms stating that these duties have been explained to the sex offender.
(3) In case of disagreement with CSOSA's determination that the person must register or with CSOSA's determination of the person's classification for purposes of registration or notification, the person must follow the review procedures set forth in § 811.8.
(b) Duties of CSOSA. (1) CSOSA shall obtain information relating to the sex offender for the purpose of registration including:
(i) Name(s) and alias(es);
(ii) Date of birth;
(iii) Physical description such as sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, tattoos, scars, or other marks or characteristics;
(iv) Social security, PDID, DCDC and FBI numbers;
(v) Driver's license number and make, model, color, and license plate number of any motor vehicle(s) the sex offender owns;
(vi) A photograph and set of fingerprints;
(vii) Current and/or anticipated home, school, work address(es) and telephone number(s); and
(viii) Other information that may assist CSOSA or the Metropolitan Police Department in locating the sex offender.
(2) CSOSA shall also obtain a detailed description of the offense(s) on the basis of which a sex offender is required to register, the presentence report(s), the victim impact statement(s), the date(s) of conviction and any sentence(s) imposed, the sex offender's criminal record and a detailed description of any relevant offense or offenses, pertinent statutes and case law in other jurisdictions, and any other information it deems useful in order to determine a sex offender's obligation to register, term of registration, and notification classification, to verify the accuracy of the information provided, to assist other jurisdictions' sex offender registration agencies and authorities, or to assist the Metropolitan Police Department in its law enforcement functions.
(3) CSOSA shall inform a sex offender of the sex offender's duty to:
(i) Comply with the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section for initial registration;
(ii) Periodically verify the address(es) at which the sex offender lives, resides, works, and/or attends school, and other information, as provided in § 811.9;
(iii) Report any change of address and any other changes in registration information (including changes in appearance), as provided in § 811.10;
(iv) Notify CSOSA if the sex offender is moving to another jurisdiction or works or attends school in another jurisdiction and to register in any such jurisdiction; and
(v) Comply with the requirements of the Act and any procedures, requirements, rules, or regulations promulgated under the Act, including these regulations and the District of Columbia regulations.
(4) CSOSA shall inform the sex offender of the penalties for failure to comply with the sex offender's duties.
(5) If the Superior Court has not entered an order certifying that a person is a sex offender, CSOSA shall inform the person that, if the person disagrees with CSOSA's determination that the person must register or CSOSA's determination of the person's classification for purposes of registration or notification, then the person must follow the review procedures set forth in § 811.8. CSOSA shall provide the person with a form to notify CSOSA of an intent to seek such review.
§ 811.8   Review of determination to register.
(a) If a person, other than a person who has been certified as a sex offender by the Court, disagrees with CSOSA's determination that the person is subject to registration or with CSOSA's determination of the person's classification for purposes of registration or notification, the person may seek judicial review of the determination, subject to the limitations of section 5(a)(1) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 22-4004(a)(1)), by:
(1) Immediately providing CSOSA with a notice of intent to seek review upon being informed of the determination; and
(2) Within 30 calendar days of the date on which the person is informed of CSOSA's determination, filing a motion in the Superior Court setting forth the disputed facts and attaching any documents or affidavits upon which the person intends to rely.
(b) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (a) of this section may seek review of CSOSA's determination only in conformity with the limitations of section 5(a)(1) of the Act (D.C. Official Code Section 4004(a)(1)) and for good cause shown and to prevent manifest injustice by filing a motion in the Court within three years of the date on which the person is informed of CSOSA's determination.
§ 811.9   Periodic verification of registration information.
(a) Sex offenders who are required to register for life must verify registration information quarterly pursuant to the procedures set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
(b) All other sex offenders must verify registration information annually pursuant to the procedures set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) Quarterly or annually, as appropriate, CSOSA will send a certified letter with return receipt requested to the home of the sex offender.
(d) The sex offender must correct any information on the form which is inaccurate or out of date and must sign, thumb-print, and return the form to CSOSA no later than 14 calendar days after the date on which CSOSA placed it in the mail. The sex offender has the option of returning the form by mail or in person unless:
(1) The sex offender is also on probation, parole, or supervised release or otherwise must report to CSOSA, and CSOSA directs the sex offender to verify the registration information in person;
(2) CSOSA directs the sex offender to appear in person because the sex offender has previously failed to submit a timely verification or submitted an incomplete or inaccurate verification; or
(3) CSOSA directs the sex offender to appear in person for the purpose of taking a new photograph documenting a significant change in physical appearance or updating a photograph that is five or more years old.
(e) CSOSA, either on its own accord or with its law enforcement partners, will conduct home verifications of registered sex offenders pursuant to the following schedule:
(1) Semi-annually, at least every six months, for all registered Class A sex offenders without supervision obligation.
(2) Annually, for all registered Class B sex offenders without a supervision obligation.
(3) As directed by CSOSA and consistent with Agency policy for all Class A and B sex offenders with supervision obligation.
§ 811.10   Changes in registration information.
(a)(1) A sex offender must notify CSOSA if the sex offender:
(i) Ceases to live or reside at the registered address or moves to a different address;
(ii) leaves a job or obtains a new job, or leaves a school or enrolls in a new school; or
(iii) ceases to own or becomes an owner of any motor vehicle.
(2) A sex offender must notify CSOSA if there is a significant change in the sex offender's appearance and report as directed for the purpose of having a new photograph taken. Any question regarding whether a change in physical appearance is significant is to be referred to CSOSA.
(3) A sex offender must notify CSOSA if the sex offender is moving to another jurisdiction or if the sex offender works or attends school in another jurisdiction and must register in any such jurisdiction.
(b) Notice of the changes described in paragraph (a) of this section must be in writing and must be provided prior to the change if feasible and in any event within three days of the change. Notices of change in address or place of work or school attendance must include new address, location, and phone number information. Notice relating to ownership of a motor vehicle must include the make, model, color, and license plate number of the vehicle.
§ 811.11   Compliance.
(a) A sex offender may be excused from strict compliance with the time limits set forth in these regulations if the sex offender notifies CSOSA in advance of circumstances that will interfere with compliance and makes alternative arrangements to satisfy the requirements or, in the case of an emergency, notifies CSOSA as soon as the sex offender is able to do so.
(b) CSOSA may direct that a sex offender meet with a responsible officer or official for the purpose of securing compliance or discussing non-compliance with any requirements of the Act or any procedures, requirements, rules, or regulations promulgated under the Act, including these regulations and the District of Columbia regulations.
§ 811.12   Penalties.
A violation of the requirements of the Act or any procedures, requirements, rules, or regulations promulgated under the Act, including these regulations and the District of Columbia regulations, may result in criminal prosecution under section 16 of the Act (D.C. Official Code Section 22-4015), revocation of probation, parole, supervised release, or conditional release, and extension of the registration period under § 811.6(b)(2).
§ 811.13   Notices and appearances.
Unless otherwise directed by the Court or CSOSA,
(a) Notices or reports that are required to be submitted in writing should be sent to: Sex Offender Registration Unit, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, Room 2002, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20001.
(b) A person who is required to report in person should go to: Sex Offender Supervision Office, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, Room 2002, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20001.
§ 811.14   Definitions.
(a) The terms “attends school,” “Court,” “in custody or under supervision,” “sex offender,” and “works” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999 (D.C. Official Code Section 22-4001).
(b) The term “the Act” means the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999 (D.C. Official Code Section 22-4001 et seq. ).
(c) The term “days” means business days unless otherwise specified.
(d) In relation to a motor vehicle, the term “owns” includes both exclusive ownership and co-ownership, and the term “owner” includes both exclusive owners and co-owners.