Statute 948 - Sex Offenders

The 1999 Florida Statutes

 

Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing / Monitoring

Title XLVII

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS Chapter 948

 

Probation and Community Control

 

Effective for a probationer or community controllee whose crime was committed on or after October 1, 1997, and who is placed on sex offender probation for a violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0145, in addition to any other provision of this subsection, the court must impose the following conditions of probation or community control:

 

Annual Polygraph Examination

As part of a treatment program, participation at least annually in polygraph examinations to obtain information necessary for risk management and treatment and to reduce the sex offender's denial mechanisms. A polygraph examination must be conducted by a polygrapher trained specifically in the use of the polygraph for the monitoring of sex offenders, where available, and shall be paid by the sex offender. The results of the polygraph examination shall not be used as evidence in court to prove that a violation of community supervision has occurred.

948.001 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
 

"Probation" means a form of community supervision requiring specified contacts with parole and probation officers and other terms and conditions as provided in s. 948.03.

"Sex offender probation" or "sex offender community control" means a form of intensive supervision, with or without electronic monitoring, which emphasizes treatment and supervision of a sex offender in accordance with an individualized treatment plan administered by an officer who has a restricted caseload and specialized training.

An officer who supervises an offender placed on sex offender probation or sex offender community control must meet as necessary with a treatment provider and polygraph examiner to develop and implement the supervision and treatment plan, if a treatment provider and polygraph examiner specially trained in the treatment and monitoring of sex offenders are reasonably available.

The Court

The court shall require a diagnosis and evaluation to determine the need of a probationer or offender in community control for treatment. If the court determines that a need therefor is established by such diagnosis and evaluation process, the court shall require outpatient counseling as a term or condition of probation or community control for any person who was found guilty of any of the following, or whose plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any of the following was accepted by the court:

(a) Lewd or lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious conduct, or lewd or lascivious exhibition, as defined in s. 800.04.

(b) Sexual battery, as defined in chapter 794, against a child. (c) Exploitation of a child as provided in s. 450.151, or for prostitution.

Treatment Providers

Such counseling shall be required to be obtained from a community mental health center, a recognized social service agency providing mental health services, or a private mental health professional or through other professional counseling. The plan for counseling for the individual shall be provided to the court for review.

Special Conditions

Conditions imposed pursuant to this subsection, as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), do not require oral pronouncement at the time of sentencing and shall be considered standard conditions of probation or community control for offenders specified in this subsection.

Effective for probationers or community controllees whose crime was committed on or after October 1, 1995, and who are placed under supervision for violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0145, the court must impose the following conditions in addition to all other standard and special conditions imposed:

If the victim was under the age of 18, a prohibition on living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care center, park, playground, or other place where children regularly congregate, as prescribed by the court.

Active participation in and successful completion of a sex offender treatment program with therapists specifically trained to treat sex offenders, at the probationer's or community controllee's own expense. If a specially trained therapist is not available within a 50-mile radius of the probationer's or community controllee's residence, the offender shall participate in other appropriate therapy.

A prohibition on any contact with the victim, directly or indirectly, including through a third person, unless approved by the victim, the offender's therapist, and the sentencing court.

If the victim was under the age of 18, a prohibition, until successful completion of a sex offender treatment program, on unsupervised contact with a child under the age of 18, unless authorized by the sentencing court without another adult present who is responsible for the child's welfare, has been advised of the crime, and is approved by the sentencing court.

If the victim was under age 18, a prohibition on working for pay or as a volunteer at any school, day care center, park, playground, or other place where children regularly congregate.

Unless otherwise indicated in the treatment plan provided by the sexual offender treatment program, a prohibition on viewing, owning, or possessing any obscene, pornographic, or sexually stimulating visual or auditory material, including telephone, electronic media, computer programs, or computer services that are relevant to the offender's deviant behavior pattern.

A requirement that the probationer or community controllee must submit two specimens of blood to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to be registered with the DNA data bank.

A requirement that the probationer or community controllee make restitution to the victim, as ordered by the court under s. 775.089, for all necessary medical and related professional services relating to physical, psychiatric, and psychological care.

Submission to a warrantless search by the community control or probation officer of the probationer's or community controllee's person, residence, or vehicle.

More information on this Chapter is available on The Florida Legislature's Web Site under "Chapter 948"