Sex Offender Registration Litigation

Sex offender registration is a serious and potentially life-altering consequence for those clients convicted of sex offenses. Rankin & Sultan strives to limit those consequences from the time of arrest through the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) hearing process and beyond. We have achieved substantial relief for many clients in this complex area, including restoration of hearing rights, reduction in classification level, removal from public dissemination, and complete relief from the obligation to register (on either jurisdictional or substantive grounds).

Rankin & Sultan provides cutting-edge representation during the SORB hearing process and on judicial review in the Superior and/or Appeals Court, utilizing our years of experience navigating the SORB rules and regulations.  In Doe 380316 v. SORB, 473 Mass. 297 (2015), the Supreme Judicial Court held that the SORB must prove an offender’s classification level by clear and convincing evidence.  In Doe 496501 v. SORB, 482 Mass. 643 (2019), the Supreme Judicial Court held that the SORB must make a separate and explicit findings as to whether internet dissemination is warranted.  The SORB ‘s revised regulations effective January 29, 2016, govern classification proceedings and may allow a previously classified registrant to seek reclassification to a lower level or termination of their registration obligation. In short, the law regard sex offender litigation is constantly in flux. It is important to seek legal representation immediately upon receiving any notice from the SORB, and even those who have been previously classified may benefit from legal representation to change their classification level.  This is a distinctive and complex area of administrative law, and it is critical to retain counsel with extensive experience in handling such cases.

If you are currently required to register as a sex offender, you might be entitled to a new hearing or reclassification. We have had significant success in petitioning the SORB for relief for those currently required to register as sex offenders. Contact us to review your case to determine whether you are entitled to relief.