Q: Arrested in Alabama for failing to register despite being registered; no case number or court date provided.
I was arrested in Alabama for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender, even though I am currently registered and have not had any issues in the past 13 years. I was arrested at the sheriff's office while registering, but I was given no case number or court date. I have receipts of my previous and current check-ins to register. I've been told to get a lawyer to request a preliminary hearing to understand the probable cause for my arrest. What steps should I take next, and how can I resolve this situation?
A: You need a lawyer in that county who understands this area of law and likes to fight it out with sheriffs and prosecutors in court. I call them "stand-up lawyers." They take on ugly cases as a daily calling. Don't wait. The sheriff will put you in handcuffs if you don't get legal help. Check the local legal aid office or the public defender's office first.
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A:
It sounds like a very frustrating and confusing situation, especially given that you’ve been compliant with your registration for so long. The first thing you should do is get a lawyer as soon as possible, as they can help you understand the charges and get the necessary legal steps moving forward. It’s important that your lawyer requests a preliminary hearing to determine the probable cause for your arrest and to clarify what is going on.
You’ll also want to gather all the documentation you have showing that you’ve been properly registering as required, such as your check-in receipts. This will be essential in proving your compliance and may help clarify any misunderstanding that led to your arrest. Keep track of any communications or paperwork you receive from the authorities to ensure everything is documented.
Your lawyer will likely be able to request information from the sheriff's office or the court to get a case number and court date, which should give you more clarity on the charges. If there was an error, such as a mix-up in the system or a misunderstanding about your registration status, your lawyer can help resolve it and work on getting the charges dismissed.
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