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Sex Crimes Lawyers in Harrisburg

Helping You Understand SORNA & the Adam Walsh Act

When a person is convicted of a sex crime, they are typically required to register as a sex offender as part of their punishment. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is a federal statute which was signed in 2006. This act increased registration requirements for sex offenders and created a national sex offender registry that organized sex offender data on the internet. It also created a federal felony offense for those who fail to adhere to Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) requirements to register as a sex offender. At Shaffer & Engle, we work with clients who have been accused of sex crimes as well as those charged with violating SORNA requirements.

To learn how our firm can assist with your criminal charges, please reach out to our Harrisburg sex crimes lawyers at (717) 268-4287.

How Does the Adam Walsh Act Affect Registration?

This act serves to organize sex offenders into three tiers and regulates how offenders must register their information after a conviction. If offenders fail to update their information or register, they may be charged with a felony offense. Currently, eight states in the United States are in compliance with the Adam Walsh Act, including Pennsylvania.

Registration requirements are organized into three main categories:

  • Tier III: Offenders in the most serious tier, Tier III, adhere to lifetime registration requirements, including updating their location every three months. This category includes non-parental kidnapping of a minor child, sexual acts with a child under 12 years old, and sex acts with someone who was rendered unconscious or couldn't consent.
  • Tier II: Tier II offenders are required to have 25 years of registration and to update their whereabouts every 6 months. This category may include crimes such as those involving minors in sexual contact, using a minor in a sexual performance or prostitution, and the production of child pornography.
  • Tier I: Tier I offenders have 15 years of registration with updates required every year. This category includes less severe crimes which do not fall under either Tier II or Tier III.

Have You Been Charged with a Sex Crime?

With the changes made to the Adam Walsh Act, the consequences you may face as a sex offender could significantly increase. If you were charged with a sex crime or have already been convicted of a sex crime, sex offender registry terms may be confusing. If you are facing charges for a sex crime, you are looking at the possibility of decades of reporting, restrictions on where you can work and live, and a tarnished reputation. At Shaffer & Engle, we help clients who have been charged with sex crimes, relentlessly fighting for your rights and future.

To speak with a Harrisburg sex crimes lawyer, call us at (717) 268-4287. We also serve clients throughout Dauphin County.

What Our
Clients Have to Say

  • We recommend Shaffer & Engle to everyone and anyone, even if you are unsure if you have a case.

    “Our experience with Shaffer & Engle was beyond our expectations. Elisabeth is absolutely an amazing attorney! We were expecting to get about a 50% reduction in our case, but she surpassed that and got BOTH of the traffic tickets completely thrown out! Saving us from a driver's license suspension of up to 18 months long! She's spectacular! We recommend Shaffer & Engle to everyone and anyone, even if you are unsure if you have a case. Just ask them, they will explain all of your options and in plain English so that it makes sense to you! Elisabeth is unlike any attorney we have ever met. Very open, honest and down-to- earth......she speaks her mind freely and loudly! It gave us a more comfortable feeling having her represent us and our case! Again, Thank you so much Elisabeth, we greatly appreciate all you did for us! We will call Shaffer & Engle first for all of our future legal matters!”

    Katie & Derrick

  • Outcome of the case was the best possible under the circumstances.

    “Very professional and upfront. Reviewed the facts of my case with me in a realistic manner and gave me excellent advice. Did not push hiring the firm on me but let me know exactly what I needed to do if I chose to have her firm represent me. Outcome of the case was the best possible under the circumstances. Well done and thank you!”

    TP

  • Very thankful to all of them

    “Working through legal issues can be stressful to say the least. The Firm of Shaffer & Engle was experienced, communicative, thorough and kind. Very thankful to all of them and glad to have had the pleasure to work with such a great team.”

    T.P.

  • Mr. Engle took my matter as if it were his own and followed through to the end.

    “I contacted Mr. Engle back in August. My custody case had originated in Delaware in 2013 and was the final hearing was held in May of 2015. After the other party objected DE having jurisdiction, he took matters into his own hands and got PA involved - where he lives. In a panic I called Mr. Engle after being referred to him by my DE attorney. Even though I wasn't a client and I did not have an appointment scheduled, Mr Engle took the time out to hear the background information, calm me down and come to, what I thought, was a good conclusion. Fast forward 4 months later and every email, phone call and frantic visit to his office was greeted with kindness and patience...and if he was unavailable, his staff showed the same warm professionalism. I could be sure that I would hear back from him within the same business day - sometimes even on his downtime after hours - or first thing in the morning. Mr. Engle took my matter as if it were his own and followed through to the end. I would not hesitate to call on Mr. Engle again if the occasion ever arose.”

    Rebekah

  • He was knowledgeable, thorough, resourceful, professional and understanding.

    “I highly recommend Attorney Jeff Engle. He was knowledgeable, thorough, resourceful, professional and understanding. I did my homework before seeking out Jeff, as I needed an expert in Family and Education law. He was highly recommended to me, and he did not disappoint. Give him a call and schedule a consult. You will get an honest assessment of your situation, and he will work with you to ensure that you get the best outcome possible.”

    Karl