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CrimesCode

Crimes Code of Pennsylvania

The following is a list of the offenses that require registration with their definitions: Effective 12/20/2012 and as amended 02/21/2018.

Offenses listed on this page reflect statutes current as of the effective date of this publication and do not reflect all historical offenses for which an offender may have been required to register for at the time of conviction.

INCHOATE CRIMES

Criminal Attempt. (18 Pa. C.S.§901)
(a) DEFINITION OF ATTEMPT. - A person commits an attempt when, with intent to commit a specific crime, he does any act which constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that crime.
For information regarding the particular offense an individual attempted to commit, please refer to the description of the listed offense.

Criminal Solicitation (18 Pa. C.S.§902)
(a) DEFINITION OF SOLICITATION - A person is guilty of solicitation to commit a crime if with the intent of promoting or facilitating its commission he commands, encourages, or requests another person to engage in specific conduct which would constitute such crime or an attempt to commit such crime or which would establish his complicity in its commission or attempted commission.
For information regarding the particular offense an individual solicited, please refer to the description of the listed offense.

Criminal Conspiracy (18 Pa. C.S.§903)
(a) DEFINITION OF CONSPIRACY - A person is guilty of conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime if with intent of promoting or facilitating its commission he:

  1. Agrees with such other person or persons that they or one or more of them will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime: or
  2. Agrees to aid such other person or persons in the planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime.
For information regarding the particular offense an individual conspired, please refer to the description of the listed offense.

KIDNAPPING

Kidnapping (18 Pa. C.S. § 2901) – Victim must be a minor
(a.1) Kidnapping of a Minor - Offense Defined – A person is guilty of kidnapping of a minor if he unlawfully removes a person under 18 years of age a substantial distance under the circumstances from the place where he is found, or if he unlawfully confines a person under 18 years of age for a substantial period in a place of isolation, with any of the following intentions:

  1. To hold for ransom or reward, or as a shield or hostage;
  2. To facilitate commission of any felony or flight thereafter;
  3. To inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or another; or
  4. To interfere with the performance by public officials of any governmental or political function.

Unlawful Restraint (18 Pa. C.S. § 2902) – Victim must be a minor
(b) Unlawful Restraint of a Minor where Offender is not Victim's Parent - If the victim is a person under 18 years of age, a person who is not the victim's parent commits a felony of the second degree if he knowingly:

  1. Restrains another unlawfully in circumstances exposing him to risk of serious bodily injury; or
  2. Holds another in a condition of involuntary servitude.

(d) DEFINITION - As used in this section the term "parent" means a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent or guardian of a minor.

False Imprisonment (18 Pa. C.S. § 2903) – Victim must be a minor
(b) False Imprisonment of a Minor where Offender is not Victim’s Parent - If the victim is a person under 18 years of age, a person who is not the victim's parent commits a felony of the second degree if he knowingly restrains another unlawfully so as to interfere substantially with his liberty.

(d) DEFINITION - As used in this section the term "parent" means a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent or guardian of a minor.

Interference with Custody of Children (18 Pa. C.S. § 2904), except in cases where the defendent is the child's parent, guardian or other lawful custodian.
(a) Offense Defined - A person commits an offense if he knowingly or recklessly takes or entices any child under the age of 18 years from the custody of its parent, guardian or other lawful custodian, when he has no privilege to do so.

Luring a Child into a Motor Vehicle or Structure (18 Pa. C.S. § 2910)
(a) Offense Defined- Unless the circumstances reasonably indicate that the child is in need of assistance, a person who lures or attempts to lure a child into a motor vehicle or structure without the consent, express or implied, of the child's parent or guardian commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.


SEXUAL OFFENSES

Rape (18 Pa. C.S. § 3121)
(a) Offense Defined – A person commits a felony of the first degree when the person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant:

  1. By forcible compulsion.
  2. By threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;
  3. Who is unconscious or where the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring.
  4. Where the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants, or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance.
  5. Who suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent.

(c) Rape of a Child – A person commits the offense of rape of a child, a felony of the first degree, when the person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant who is less than 13 years of age.

(d) Rape of a Child with Serious Bodily Injury – A person commits the offense of rape of a child resulting in serious bodily injury, a felony of the first degree, when the person violates this section and the complainant is under 13 years of age and suffers serious bodily injury in the course of the offense.

Statutory Sexual Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3122.1)
(a) Felony of the second degree - Except as provided in section 3121 (relating to rape), a person commits a felony of the second degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant to whom the person is not married who is under the age of 16 years and that person is:

    2. Eight years older but less than 11 years older than the complainant.

(b) Felony of the first degree - A person commits a felony of the first degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant under the age of 16 years and that person is 11 or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.

Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (18 Pa. C.S. § 3123)
(a) Offense Defined – A person commits a felony of the first degree when the person engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant:

  1. By forcible compulsion;
  2. By threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;
  3. Who is unconscious or where the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring;
  4. Where the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants, or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance;
  5. Who suffers from a mental disability which renders him or her incapable of consent;
  6. Deleted by 2002, Dec. 9, P.L. 1350, No. 162, § 2, effective in 60 days; or
  7. Who is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and person are not married to each other.

(b) Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child – A person commits involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, a felony of the first degree, when the person engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant who is less than 13 years of age.

(c) Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child with Serious Bodily Injury - A person commits an offense under this section with a child resulting in serious bodily injury, a felony of the first degree, when the person violates this section and the complainant is less than 13 years of age and the complainant suffers serious bodily injury in the course of the offense.

(e) DEFINITION – As used in this section, the term "forcible compulsion" includes, but is not limited to, compulsion resulting in another person's death, whether the death occurred before, during, or after the sexual intercourse.

Sexual Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3124.1)
Except as provided in section 3121 (relating to Rape) or 3123 (relating to Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse), a person commits a felony of the second degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant without the complainant's consent.

Institutional Sexual Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3124.2)
(a) GENERAL RULE. – except as provided in sections 3121 (relating to Rape), 3122.1 (relating to Statutory Sexual Assault), 3123 (relating to Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse), 3124.1 (relating to Sexual Assault) and 3125 (relating to Aggravated Indecent Assault), a person who is an employee or agent of the Department of Corrections or a county correctional authority, youth development center, youth forestry camp, State or county juvenile detention facility, other licensed residential facility serving children and youth, or mental health or mental retardation facility or institution commits a felony of the third degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with an inmate, detainee, patient or resident.

(a.1) Institutional Sexual Assault of a Minor - A person who is an employee or agent of the Department of Corrections or a county correctional authority, youth development center, youth forestry camp, State or county juvenile detention facility, other licensed residential facility serving children and youth or mental health or mental retardation facility or institution commits a felony of the third degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with an inmate, detainee, patient or resident who is under 18 years of age.

(a.2) Schools

  1. Except as provided in sections 3121, 3122.1, 3123, 3124.1 and 3125, a person who is a volunteer or an employee of a school or any other person who has direct contact with a student at a school commits a felony of the third degree when he engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a student of the school.
  2. As used in this subsection, the following terms shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph:
        (i)"Direct contact" - Care, supervision, guidance or control.
        (ii)”Employee”
            A. Includes:
                (I)A teacher, a supervisor, a supervising principal, a principal, an assistant principal, a vice principal, a director of vocational education, a dental hygienist, a visiting teacher, a home and school visitor, a school counselor, a child nutrition program specialist, a school librarian, a school secretary the selection of whom is on the basis of merit as determined by eligibility lists, a school nurse, a substitute teacher, a janitor, a cafeteria worker, a bus driver, a teacher aide and any other employee who has direct contact with school students.
            (II)An independent contractor who has a contract with a school for the purpose of performing a service for the school, a coach, an athletic trainer, a coach hired as an independent contractor by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association or an athletic trainer hired as an independent contractor by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
                  B. The term does not include:
                         (I) A student employed at the school.
                         (II)An independent contractor or any employee of an independent contractor who has no direct contact with school students.

iii. "School" - A public or private school, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school.
iv. "Volunteer" - The term does not include a school student.

(a.3) Child Care - Except as provided in sections 3121, 3122.1, 3123, 3124.1 and 3125, a person who is a volunteer or an employee of a center for children commits a felony of the third degree when he engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a child who is receiving services at the center.

(b) DEFINITIONS - As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   "Agent" - A person who is assigned to work in a State or county correctional or juvenile detention facility, a youth development center, youth forestry camp, other licensed residential facility serving children and youth or mental health or mental retardation facility or institution, who is employed by any State or county agency or any person employed by an entity providing contract services to the agency.

   "Center for children" - Includes a child day-care center, group and family day-care home, boarding home for children, a center providing early intervention and drug and alcohol services for children or other facility which provides child-care services which are subject to approval, licensure, registration or certification by the Department of Public Welfare or a county social services agency or which are provided pursuant to a contract with the department or a county social services agency. The term does not include a youth development center, youth forestry camp, State or county juvenile detention facility and other licensed residential facility serving children and youth.

Aggravated Indecent Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3125)
(a) Offenses Defined – Except as provided in sections 3121 (relating to rape), 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) and 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault), a person who engages in penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus of a complainant with a part of the person's body for any purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedure, commits aggravated indecent assault if:

  1. The person does so without the complainant's consent;
  2. The person does so by forcible compulsion;
  3. The person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;
  4. The complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the penetration is occurring;
  5. The person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants, or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance;
  6. The complainant suffers from a mental disability, which renders the complainant incapable of consent;
  7. The complainant is less than 13 years of age; or
  8. The complainant is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant, and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.

(b) Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child – A person commits aggravated indecent assault of a child when the person violates subsection (a) (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and the complainant is less than 13 years of age.

Indecent Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3126)
(a) Offense Defined- A person is guilty of indecent assault if the person has indecent contact with the complainant, causes the complainant to have indecent contact with the person or intentionally causes the complainant to come into contact with seminal fluid, urine or feces for the purpose of arousing sexual desire in the person or the complainant and:
       

  1. The person does so without the complainant's consent;
  2. The person does so by forcible compulsion;
  3. The person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;
  4. The complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the indecent contact is occurring;
  5. The person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance;
  6. The complainant suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent;
  7. The complainant is less than 13 years of age; or
  8. The complainant is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.
(b) GRADING - Indecent assault shall be graded as follows:
  1. An offense under subsection (a)(1) or (8) is a misdemeanor of the second degree.
  2. An offense under subsection (a)(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
  3. An offense under subsection (a)(7) is a misdemeanor of the first degree unless any of the following apply, in which case it is a felony of the third degree:
    1. It is a second or subsequent offense.
    2. There has been a course of conduct of indecent assault by the person.
    3. The indecent assault was committed by touching the complainant's sexual or intimate parts with sexual or intimate parts of the person.
    4. The indecent assault is committed by touching the person's sexual or intimate parts with the complainant's sexual or intimate parts.

Definitions for Sexual Offenses (18 Pa. C.S. § 3101):
“Complainant” - An alleged victim of a crime under this chapter.

"Deviate Sexual Intercourse" – Sexual intercourse per os or per anus between human beings and any form of sexual intercourse with an animal. The term also includes penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus of another person with a foreign object for any purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedures.

"Forcible Compulsion" – Compulsion by use of physical, intellectual, moral, emotional or psychological force, either express or implied. The term includes, but is not limited to, compulsion resulting in another person's death, whether the death occurred before, during or after sexual intercourse.

"Foreign Object" – Includes any physical object not a part of the actor's body.

"Indecent Contact" – Any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of the person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire, in either person.

"Serious Bodily Injury" – Bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

"Sexual Intercourse" – In addition to its ordinary meaning, includes intercourse per os or anus, with some penetration, however slight; emission is not required.


OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

Incest (18 Pa. C.S. § 4302)
(b)Incest of a Minor - A person is guilty of incest, a felony of the second degree, if that person knowingly marries or cohabits or has sexual intercourse with an ancestor or descendant, a brother or sister of the whole or half blood or an uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the whole blood. and
   (1) is under the age of 13 years; or
   (2) is 13 to 18 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant.


PUBLIC INDECENCY

Prostitution and Related Offenses (18 Pa. C.S. § 5902)
(b.1)Promoting Prostitution of a minor – A person who knowingly promotes prostitution of a minor commits felony of the third degree. The following acts shall, without limitation of the foregoing, constitute promoting prostitution of a minor:

  1. Owning, controlling, managing, supervising, or otherwise keeping, alone or in association with others, a house of prostitution or a prostitution business in which the victim is a minor;
  2. Procuring an inmate who is a minor for a house of prostitution or a place in a house of prostitution for one who would be an inmate;
  3. Encouraging, inducing, or otherwise intentionally causing a minor to become or remain a prostitute;
  4. Soliciting a minor to patronize a prostitute;
  5. Procuring a prostitute who is a minor for a patron;
  6. Transporting a minor into or within this Commonwealth with the intent to promote the engaging in prostitution by that minor, or procuring or paying for transportation with that intent;
  7. Leasing or otherwise permitting a place controlled by the actor, alone or in association with others, to be regularly used for prostitution of a minor or the promotion of prostitution of a minor, or failure to make reasonable effort to abate such use by ejecting the tenant, notifying law enforcement authorities, or other legally available means; or
  8. Soliciting, receiving, or agreeing to receive any benefit for doing or agreeing to do anything forbidden by this subsection.

Obscene and Other Sexual Materials and Performances (18 Pa. C.S. § 5903) – Victim must be a minor

(a) Offenses Defined - No person, knowing the obscene character of the materials or performance involved, shall:
     3(ii) Design, copy, draw, photograph, print, utter, publish or in any manner manufacture or prepare any obscene materials in which a minor is depicted;
4(ii) Write, print, publish, utter or cause to be written, printed, published or uttered any advertisement or notice of any kind giving information, directly or indirectly, stating or purporting to state where, how, from whom, or by what means any obscene materials can be purchased, obtained, or had in which a minor is included;
5(ii) Produce, present or direct any obscene performance or participate in a portion thereof that is obscene or that contributes to its obscenity if a minor is included;
6. Hire, employ, use, or permit any minor child to do or assist in doing any act or thing mentioned in this subsection.

(b) DEFINITIONS

"Knowing" – As used in subsection (a), knowing means having general knowledge of, or reason to know, or a belief or ground for belief which warrants further inspection or inquiry of, the character and content of any material or performance described therein which is reasonably susceptible of examination by the defendant.

"Material" – Any literature, including any book, magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, storypaper, bumper sticker, comic book or writing; any figure, visual representation or image, including any drawing, photograph, picture, videotape or motion picture.

"Obscene" – Any material or performance if:

  1. The average person applying contemporary standards would find that the subject matter taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest;
  2. The subject matter depicts or describes in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct of a type described in this section; and
  3. The subject matter, taken as a whole, lacks serious literacy, artistic, political, educational or scientific values.
"Performance" – Means any play, dance or other live exhibition performed before an audience.

Trafficking in Individuals (18 Pa. C.S. § 3011)

(a) Offense Defined - A person commits a felony:
     (1) of the first degree if the person recruits, entices, solicits, advertises, harbors, transports, provides, obtains or maintains an individual if the person knows or recklessly disregards that the individual will be subject to sexual servitude;
(2) of the first degree if the person knowingly benefits financially or receives anything of value from any act that facilitates any activity described in paragraph (1);
(b) Trafficking in Minors –
     (1) the person violates subsection (a) (1) or (2); and
(2) the violation:
          (i) results in a minor being subjected to sexual servitude; and
(ii) is part of a course of conduct subjecting minors to sexual servitude.

Involuntary servitude (18 Pa. C.S. § 3012)

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the first degree if the person knowingly, through any of the means described in subsection (b), subjects an individual to labor servitude or sexual servitude, except where the conduct is permissible under Federal or State law other than this chapter.
(b) Means of subjecting an individual to involuntary servitude. -- A person may subject an individual to involuntary servitude through any of the following means:
     (1) Causing or threatening to cause serious harm to any individual.
(2) Physically restraining or threatening to physically restrain another individual.
(3) Kidnapping or attempting to kidnap any individual.
(4) Abusing or threatening to abuse the legal process.
(5) Taking or retaining the individual's personal property or real property as a means of coercion.
(6) Engaging in unlawful conduct with respect to documents, as defined in section 3014 (relating to unlawful conduct regarding documents).
(7) Extortion.
(8) Fraud.
(9) Criminal coercion, as defined in section 2906 (relating to criminal coercion).
(10) Duress, through the use of or threat to use unlawful force against the person or another.
(11) Debt coercion.
(12) Facilitating or controlling the individual's access to a controlled substance.
(13) Using any scheme, plan or pattern intended to cause the individual to believe that, if the individual does not perform the labor, services, acts or performances, that individual or another individual will suffer serious harm or physical restraint.

Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude (18 Pa. C.S. § 3013)

(a) Offense Defined -
     (1) A person commits a felony of the first degree if the person engages in any sex act or performance with another individual knowing that the act or performance is the result of the individual being a victim of human trafficking.
(2) A person commits an offense if the person engages in any sex act or performance with another individual with reckless disregard for whether the act or performance is the result of the individual being a victim of human trafficking. An offense under this paragraph constitutes:
          (i) A felony of the third degree when the offense is a first offense.
(ii) A felony of the first degree when the offense is a second or subsequent offense.


MINORS

Corruption of Minors (18 Pa. C.S. § 6301)
(a) Offense Defined-

    1(ii) Whoever, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any course of conduct in violation of Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses) corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of any minor less than 18 years of age, or who aids, abets, entices or encourages any such minor in the commission of an offense under Chapter 31 commits a felony of the third degree.

Sexual Abuse of Children (18 Pa. C.S. § 6312)
(b) PHOTOGRAPHING, VIDEOTAPING, DEPICTING ON COMPUTER OR FILMING SEXUAL ACTS- Any person who causes or knowingly permits a child under the age of 18 years to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act is guilty of a felony of the second degree if such person knows, has reason to know or intends that such act may be photographed, videotaped, depicted on computer or filmed. Any person who knowingly photographs, videotapes, depicts on computer or films a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act is guilty of a felony of the second degree.

(c) DISSEMINATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPES, COMPUTER DEPICTIONS AND FILMS

  1. Any person who knowingly sells, distributes, delivers, disseminates, transfers, displays or exhibits to others, or who possesses for the purpose of sale, distribution, delivery, dissemination, transfer, display or exhibition to others, any book, magazine, pamphlet, slide, photograph, film, videotape, computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act commits an offense.
  2. A first offense under this subsection is a felony of the third degree, and a second or subsequent offense under this subsection is a felony of the second degree.
(d)CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
  1. Any person who intentionally views or knowingly possesses or controls any book, magazine, pamphlet, slide, photograph, film, videotape, computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act commits an offense.
  2. A first offense under this subsection is a felony of the third degree, and a second or subsequent offense under this subsection is a felony of the second degree.
(g)DEFINITIONS --As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"INTENTIONALLY VIEWS." The deliberate, purposeful, voluntary viewing of material depicting a child under 18 years of age engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act. The term shall not include the accidental or inadvertent viewing of such material.

"PROHIBITED SEXUAL ACT." Sexual intercourse as defined in section 3101 (relating to definitions), masturbation, sadism, masochism, bestiality, fellatio, cunnilingus, lewd exhibition of the genitals or nudity if such nudity is depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification of any person who might view such depiction.

Unlawful Contact with a Minor (18 Pa. C.S. § 6318)
(a) Offense Defined – A person commits an offense if he is intentionally in contact with a minor, or a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his duties who has assumed the identity of a minor, for the purpose of engaging in an activity prohibited under any of the following, and either the person initiating the contact or the person being contacted is within this Commonwealth:

  1. Any of the offenses enumerated in 18 Pa. Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses);
  2. Open lewdness as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 5901 (relating to Open Lewdness);
  3. Prostitution as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 5902 (relating to Prostitution and Related Offenses);
  4. Obscene and other Sexual Materials and performances as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 5903 (relating to Obscene and other Sexual Materials and Performances);
  5. Sexual abuse of children as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 6312 (relating to Sexual Abuse of Children); or
  6. Sexual exploitation of children as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 6320 (relating to Sexual Exploitation of Children).

(c) DEFINITIONS – The following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Computer" – An electronic, magnetic, optical, hydraulic, organic or other high-speed data processing device or system which performs logic, arithmetic or memory functions and includes all input, output, processing, storage, software or communication facilities which are connected or related to the device in a computer system or computer network.

"Computer Network" – The interconnection of two or more computers through the usage of satellite, microwave, line or other communication medium.

"Computer System" – A set of related, connected or unconnected computer equipment, devices and software.

"Contacts" – Direct or indirect contact or communication by any means, method or device, including any contact or communication in person or through an agent or agency, through any print medium, the mails, a common carrier or communication common carrier, any electronic communication system and any telecommunications, wire, computer, or radio communications device or system.

"Minor" – An individual under 18 years of age.

Sexual Exploitation of Children (18 Pa. C.S. § 6320)
(a) Offense Defined - A person commits the offense of sexual exploitation of children if he procures for another person a child under 18 years of age for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

(b) Penalty - An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.

(c) Definitions - As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

  1. "Procure" - To obtain or make available for sexual exploitation.
  2. "Sexual Exploitation"- Actual or simulated sexual activity or nudity arranged for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification of any person.

Invasion of Privacy (18 Pa. C.S. § 7507.1)
(a)Offense Defined - Except as set forth in subsection (d), a person commits the offense of invasion of privacy if he, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, knowingly does any of the following:

  1. Views, photographs, videotapes, electronically depicts, films or otherwise records another person without that person's knowledge and consent while that person is in a state of full or partial nudity and is in a place where that person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
  2. Photographs, videotapes, electronically depicts, films or otherwise records or personally views the intimate parts, whether or not covered by clothing, of another person without that person's knowledge and consent and which intimate parts that person does not intend to be visible by normal public observation.
  3. Transfers or transmits an image obtained in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) by live or recorded telephone message, electronic mail or the Internet or by any other transfer of the medium on which the image is stored.
(a.1) Separate Violations - A separate violation of this section shall occur:
  1. For each victim of an offense under subsection (a) under the same or similar circumstances pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct whether at the same or different times; or
  2. If a person is a victim of an offense under subsection (a) on more than one occasion during a separate course of conduct either individually or otherwise.
(d)Exceptions - Subsection (a) shall not apply if the conduct proscribed by subsection (a) is done by any of the following:
  1. Law enforcement officers during a lawful criminal investigation.
  2. Law enforcement officers or by personnel of the Department of Corrections or a local correctional facility, prison or jail for security purposes or during investigation of alleged misconduct by a person in the custody of the department or local authorities.
(e)DEFINTIONS - As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

  "Full or partial nudity" - Display of all or any part of the human genitals or pubic area or buttocks, or any part of the nipple of the breast of any female person, with less than a fully opaque covering.

  "Intimate part" - Any part of:
  1. The human genitals, pubic area or buttocks; and
  2. The nipple of a female breast.

"Photographs" or "films" - Making any photograph, motion picture film, videotape or any other recording or transmission of the image of a person.

"Place where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy" - A location where a reasonable person would believe that he could disrobe in privacy without being concerned that his undressing was being viewed, photographed or filmed by another.

"Views" - Looking upon another person with the unaided eye or with any device designed or intended to improve visual acuity.


Offenses Related to Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Conduct Relating to Sex Offenders (18 Pa. C.S.§3130)
(a) Offense Defined: A person commits a felony of the third degree if the person has reason to believe that a sex offender is not complying with or has not complied with the requirements of the sex offender's probation or parole, imposed by statute or court order, or with the registration requirements of 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 97 Subchapter H (relating to registration of sexual offenders) or I (relating to continued registration of sexual offenders), and the person, with the intent to assist the sex offender in eluding a law enforcement agent or agency that is seeking to find the sex offender to question the sex offender about, or to arrest the sex offender for, noncompliance with the requirements of the sex offender's probation or parole or the requirements of 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 97 Subchapter H or I:

  1. Withholds information from or does not notify the law enforcement agent or agency about the sex offender's noncompliance with the requirements of parole, the requirements of 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 97 Subchapter H or I or, if known, the sex offender's whereabouts;
  2. Harbors or attempts to harbor or assist another person in harboring or attempting to harbor the sex offender;
  3. Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another person in concealing or attempting to conceal, the sex offender; or
  4. Provides information to the law enforcement agent or agency regarding the sex offender which the person knows to be false.
(b) Definition--As used in this section, the term "sex offender" means a person who is required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to the provisions of 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 97 Subchapter H or I.

Failure to Comply with Registration of Sexual Offender Requirements (18 Pa. C.S. § 4915.1)
(a) Offense Defined: An individual who is subject to registration under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.13 (relating to applicability) commits an offense if he knowingly fails to:

  1. Register with the Pennsylvania State Police as required under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.15 (relating to period of registration), § 9799.19 (relating to initial registration) or § 9799.25 (relating to verification by sexual offenders and Pennsylvania State Police);
  2. Verify his address or be photographed as required under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.15, 9799.19 or § 9799.25; or
  3. Provide accurate information when registering under 42 Pa .C.S. § 9799.15, § 9799.19 or § 9799.25.


(d) EFFECT OF NOTICE- Neither failure on the part of the Pennsylvania State Police to send nor failure of a Sexually Violent Predator / Sexually Violent Delinquent Child or sexual offender to receive any notice or information pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.25 shall be a defense to a prosecution commenced against an individual arising from a violation of this section. The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.25 are not an element of an offense under this section.

Failure to Comply with Registration of Sexual Offender Requirements (18 Pa. C.S. § 4915.2)
(a) Offense Defined: An individual who is subject to registration under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.55(a), (a.1) or (b) (relating to registration) or who was subject to registration under former 42 Pa. C.S. § 9793 (relating to registration of certain offenders for ten years) commits an offense if the individual knowingly fails to:

  1. Register with the Pennsylvania State Police as required under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.56 (relating to registration procedures and applicability);
  2. Verify the individual's residence or be photographed as required under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.60 (relating to verification of residence); or
  3. Provide accurate information when registering under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.56 or verifying a residence under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.60.


(d)EFFECT OF NOTICE- Neither failure on the part of the Pennsylvania State Police to send nor failure of a sexually violent predator or offender to receive a notice or information under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.54(b) (relating to applicability) or § 9799.60(a.1), (b.1) or (b.3) shall be a defense to a prosecution commenced against an individual arising from a violation of this section. The provisions of 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 9799.54(b) and 9799.60(a.1), (b.1) or (b.3) are not an element of an offense under this section.

OUT-OF-STATE OFFENSE

Sex Offense-Other
If the offense you have selected was an offense committed/charged outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please contact the appropriate state registry to obtain information about this offense. As a general rule, the first two letters of the offense identify the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred. For example: NY005 is a New York offense, and US018 is a Federal offense.
The FBI maintains a list of all of the state's sexual offender registries web site addresses.

You should be able to obtain contact information for each states sex offender registry from these sites, or by conducting a search for that states registry using your search engine.



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