About Megan's Law:
In July 1994, seven year-old Megan Kanka was lured into a neighbor’s house under the pretext of seeing his new puppy. The residents of Hamilton Township, New Jersey had no idea that Jesse Timmendequas was twice convicted for sexually abusing a child. Timmendequas was charged and convicted of murdering Megan Kanka.
As a result of Megan’s death, the legal requirement prohibiting law enforcement from making public to the community the presence of serious and high-risk sex offenders living in the area was brought to national attention. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed the Federal “Megan’s Law” (HR2137) which “required the release of relevant information to protect the public from sexually violent offenders.” Several states, including California, followed suit with a California “Megan’s Law” that allows public access to information on serious and high-risk sex offenders.
Sex Registrants in Woodland
The City of Woodland is home to approximately 125 sex registrants, 92 of which have been classified by the Department of Justice as “Serious Sex Offenders.” A "Serious Sex Offender" is someone who has been convicted of a certain felony sex offense or misdemeanor child molestation. In addition, 33 have been classified as “Other”, someone who has been convicted of a lesser crime, such as pornography, indecent exposure, misdemeanor sexual battery, or committed their offense as a juvenile. The City currently has no "High Risk" offenders, those who are convicted of multiple violent crimes, including one violent sex offense.
Sex offenders are required to register with the local law enforcement any time they are released from prison, move to a city or change address, within five days of the event. They are also required to register annually, within five working days of their birthday, and a new photograph is taken. All of this information is entered into a database that can now be accessed online, or onsite at local law enforcement agencies. The purpose of the Megan’s Law Database is to allow members of the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders.
Viewing Megan’s Law Database
Megan's Law information can be viewed online at http://meganslaw.ca.gov.
It can also be viewed onsite at the following area law enforcement agencies during the hours listed below:
Where: Yolo County Sheriff’s Office
41797 Gibson Road, Woodland
When: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
OR
Where: Woodland Police Department
1000 Lincoln Ave., Woodland
When: Tuesday -- Friday 7 to 9 a.m, Friday 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Individuals wishing to view the Megan's Law Database onsite must present a current California Driver’s License or Identification Card to confirm their identity and sign a statement verifying they are not a registered sex offender, as sex offenders are not allowed to view the Database onsite.
