Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Sexual Predator/Offender Ordinance Summary

 

 

 

Travel Restrictions and their Exceptions:

 

 

  • A designated Sexual Offender, whose victim was under the age of 16, or a Sexual Predator, regardless of the victim’s age, may not travel through or remain within a 1,000 foot buffer zone surrounding any school, daycare center, park or playground except to:

 

1.      Attend a scheduled meeting with a licensed attorney.

2.      Attend a scheduled interview with state licensed social service provider.

3.      Comply with a request or court order from the judiciary, correctional facility or law enforcement entity.

4.      Attend a church service or function.

5.      Attend a bona fide educational institution as a registered student.

6.      Attend to medical or health care needs with a licensed physician.

7.      Attend to familial or parental obligations.  If the obligation takes place at a school or daycare center, the offender must declare his or her status as a designated Sexual Predator/Offender, to the principle or their designee, immediately upon entering the facility or its grounds.

8.      Be gainfully employed or as part of duties imposed by gainful employment.

9.      Seek refuge during times of impending natural disasters or acts of terrorism, if such schools have been designated by Seminole County or the State of Florida as a place of refuge. Upon entry of such refuge a Sexual Predator/Offender shall identify themselves as such to the official in charge of that shelter.

 

Prohibited Residences:

 

 

  • It is prohibited and unlawful for any Sexual Predator/Offender to abide, lodge, or reside in a permanent or temporary residence located within Seminole County when such residence is located within 1,000 feet of any school, daycare center, park or playground, regardless of whether or not the location is within the jurisdictional limits of Seminole County.
  • A Sexual Predator/Offender, having a permanent residence within 1,000 feet of any of the before mentioned areas, does not commit a violation of this section if any of the following apply:

 

1.      The Sexual Predator/Offender established the permanent residence prior to the effective date of the Ordinance. However, at the end of any rental or lease agreement of said permanent residence, the Sexual Predator/Offender shall be required to abandon that residence and establish a new residence at a location that is not within 1,000 feet of any school, daycare center, park or playground.

2.      The Sexual Predator/Offender was a minor when committing the offense and was not sentenced as an adult.

3.      The Sexual Predator/Offender is under the age of 18.

4.      The school, daycare center, park or playground was opened or established after the Sexual Predator/Offender established the permanent residence.

 


Photo Identification Card:

 

  • The Seminole County Sheriff's Office will provide all Sexual Predators/Offenders registered in Seminole County with a photo identification card containing limited biographical information.  If the Sexual Predator/Offender registered with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office prior to the effective date of the ordinance, s/he will not be issued an identification card until his/her birth month, following the ordinance effective date.  Once issued, the card must be in the custody of the Sexual Predator/Offender at all times while s/he is located in Seminole County.

 

Definitions:

 

  • Designated Sexual Offender/Predator – a Sexual Offender whose victim was under the age of 16 at the time of the offense, or a Sexual Predator, regardless of the victim‘s age during the offense. 
  • Daycare Center Any family or child care facility licensed by the state of Florida. This includes the parking lot, curtilage, yards, landscaped areas, playgrounds, accessory buildings and all outdoor areas of the facility.
  • Park – A publicly owned or operated area used or available for use by the public as a recreational facility, including linear parks and the state, county and municipal recreational trails systems.
  • Playground – An established or dedicated outdoor area for recreation and play, including soccer fields, baseball diamonds, football fields and locations with outdoor equipment, such as; swing sets, climbing apparatus and slides.
  • School- Any licensed public or private school designated as an educational center that provides instructional services.
  • Permanent Residence – A place where a person abides, lodges, or resides for five (5) or more consecutive days.
  • Temporary Residence – Any place where a person may abide, lodge or reside that is not that person’s Permanent Residence. 

 

 

Law Enforcement Investigation:

 

·         Law enforcement officers shall investigate the circumstance surrounding a violation of the 1,000 foot buffer zone by a Sexual Predator or Sexual Offender. 

·         Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders shall be provided an opportunity to explain their presence within 1,000 feet of any school, daycare center, park or playground.  Careful consideration must be given to legitimate responses, which are those outlined in this document.

 

Penalties:

 

  • Any Sexual Predator or Sexual Offender who violates any of the before mentioned provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor crime and subject to arrest, or if under state supervision, subject to a probation violation charge and incarceration.
  • The provisions of this ordinance may be enforced by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and all participating municipal police departments within their respective jurisdictions, once cities individually adopt this ordinance.

 

 

Prohibition on Rentals and Leaseholds:

 

  • It is unlawful for a property owner or manager to knowingly let or rent any place, structure, or part thereof, to a Sexual Predator or Sexual Offender, with the knowledge that it will be used as a permanent or temporary residence, if such place, structure, or part thereof, is located within 1,000 feet of any school, day care center, park or playground. 
  • Any person or entity that knowingly violates this provision of the Ordinance shall be subject to penalty under Seminole County code enforcement provisions.