California Megan's Law Website
State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General

Penalties for Misuse

Misuse of Information on this Website

Any person who uses information disclosed on this website to commit a misdemeanor is, in addition to any other punishment for that misdemeanor, subject to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $50,000. Any person who uses information disclosed on this website to commit a felony shall, in addition to any other punishment for that felony, be punished by a five-year term of imprisonment in the state prison. (Penal Code § 290.46, subd. (h).)

Penalty for Registered Sex Offenders Who Enter this Website

Any person who is required to register pursuant to Penal Code section 290 who accesses this website's functionality is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment. (Penal Code § 290.46, subd. (i).) This penalty does not include viewing information on the main page or within the links on that page.

Use of Website Information Is Authorized Only to Protect a Person at Risk

A person is authorized to use information disclosed on this website only to protect a person at risk. Except to protect a person at risk or as authorized under any other law, use of any information disclosed on this website for purposes relating to any of the following is prohibited:

  • Health insurance
  • Insurance
  • Loans
  • Credit
  • Employment
  • Education, scholarships or fellowships
  • Housing or accommodations
  • Benefits, privileges, or services provided by any business establishment

Use of information on this website for purposes other than to protect a person at risk or for a prohibited purpose as described above, shall make the user liable for the actual damages caused, and any amount that may be determined by a jury or a court, not exceeding three times the amount of actual damages, and not less than $250, plus attorney's fees, exemplary damages, or a civil penalty not exceeding $25,000. (Penal Code § 290.46, subd. (j).)

This prohibition on use of the website information shall not affect authorized access to, or use of information pursuant to, §§ 11105, 11105.3, or 8808 of the Family Code; §§ 777.5 and 14409.2 of the Financial Code; §§ 1522.01 and 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code; and § 432.7 of the Labor Code.

Pattern or Practice of Misuse of Website Information

The Attorney General or any district attorney, city attorney, or any person aggrieved by misuse of information on this website, when there is reasonable cause to believe a person or groups of persons is engaged in a pattern of practice of such misuse of this information (see Penal Code § 290.46, subd. (h)(2)), may bring a civil action requesting preventive relief, including an application for injunction, restraining order, or other orders against the person(s) responsible for the pattern or practice of misuse. (Penal Code § 290.46, subd. (j)(4)(B).)

California Sex Offender
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Pursuant to Penal Code § 290.46, not all registered sex offenders are posted on this website.
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Pursuant to Penal Code § 290.46, not all registered sex offenders are posted on this website.
FAQ
If you believe a crime has been committed, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Important Resources

National Sex Offender Registry
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
California Legislature