About the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA)
The Sex Offender Registration Act (Correction Law Article 6-C) , known as SORA, established a Sex Offender Registry within the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. SORA was enacted to assist local law enforcement agencies and to protect communities by: 1) requiring sex offenders to register with the State; and, 2) providing information to the public about certain sex offenders living in their communities. SORA took effect on January 21, 1996.
SORA requires the registration of individuals convicted in New York State of certain sex offenses as well as the registration of those individuals convicted in another jurisdiction if the offense is equivalent to a New York State registerable sex offense. In addition, if the individual is convicted of a felony requiring registration in the conviction jurisdiction, or the individual is convicted of one or more specific federal or military offenses, the individual will be required to register in New York State. Individuals convicted of one or more registerable offenses on or after the effective date of SORA must register with the Division. Additionally, any person convicted of a registerable offense who was incarcerated or under parole or probation supervision on January 21, 1996 is required to be registered.
Sex offenders are classified as either low risk (Level 1), moderate risk (Level 2) or high risk (Level 3). SORA requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to maintain a public Subdirectory on the internet which can only include Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders. While the Registry also contains information on low-risk (Level 1) sex offenders, this site provides you with public access to the Subdirectory only. Therefore, accessing this site will not provide you with information about Level 1 offenders. You may, however, learn if an individual is a convicted sex offender listed in the Registry by calling the Sex Offender Registry 800 # Information Line.
Due to litigation in federal court, certain level 2 and level 3 offenders are not in the Subdirectory at this time. Once these offenders have had an opportunity for a due process hearing to determine the risk level, and if their risk level is determined to be level 2 or level 3, they will be included in the Subdirectory. For more information, refer to the Stipulation of Settlement and the Notice of Settlement for the Doe v. Pataki case.