Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender if I’m Convicted of Indecent Assault and Battery?

Written By: Matthew W. Peterson

Published: 07/22/2024

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If you’re facing charges of indecent assault and battery, you not only face jail time but also registration as a sex offender. The short answer to the question of whether you’ll have to register as a sex offender if you’re convicted of indecent assault and battery is yes.

When facing criminal charges, making the right call early on to hire the right defense attorney can be crucial to the outcome of your case. I understand that navigating the complexities of the legal system can be overwhelming, and that’s why I am here to help. The crime of indecent assault and battery is a serious offense, and if you are convicted, there are serious consequences, including possible jail time.

What Does the Prosecution Have to Prove for an Indecent Assault and Battery Conviction?

That you committed an assault and battery on the alleged victim
- Assault and battery is the intentional touching of another person, without legal justification or excuse
That the assault and battery was “indecent.”
- The term “indecent” in this context is often recognized as an act that would be offensive by a common understanding of decency
- An assault and battery may be “indecent” if it involves touching a person on or around places on their body that are typically thought to be private and

3. That the alleged victim did not consent to the alleged act

If the victim is 14 years or under, you could be facing additional penalties.

What does Registering as a Sex Offender Mean?

What exactly does registering as a sex offender mean? You will have to register with the state sex offender registry each year, and failing to do so is illegal. Also, the following are just some of the things you may have limits on if you have to register as a sex offender in Massachusetts:

Traveling out of state
Overnight stays in locations other than your registered addresses
Where you can work
Where you are able to live
Ability to visit schools
Parks or other places where children congregate
Privacy (you may need to give up your right to refuse a search of your electronic devices or home)

Sex Offender Classification

Once you register as a sex offender, you will be reviewed by the Sex Offender Registry Board. They will gather their own information (victim impact statements, court records, etc.) and will require information from you about your lifestyle, employment, etc. They will then use that information to assign you to a classification. The different levels are representative of the risk the board member thinks you pose to the public in terms of reoffending.

Level 1 – low risk
Level 2 – moderate risk
Level 3 – high risk

Next, you either accept that level of classification and waive your right to a hearing, or request a hearing to challenge the level that the board member suggested for you.

Don’t Wait

If you have been charged with indecent assault and battery or any serious sex offense, do not wait to hire a defense attorney. If you’re convicted, you could be facing jail time, GPS ankle monitoring, and many other things that will substantially impact your life. I have years of experience in criminal defense, and I take cases all over the state of Massachusetts. If you’re looking for an attorney, visit this page to see a full list of the courts I serve. I have the right experience to give you the best chance to fight these charges. Call or text the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson at 617-295-7500 to get started.