Offender Levels & Notification Guidelines

Level 1

Notification Guidelines

Washington state law strictly limits public disclosure of all level 1 registered sex offender information. Information concerning this level of registration shall be shared with other law enforcement agencies, and upon request, relevant, necessary and accurate information may be disclosed to any victim or witness to the offense and to any community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level 1 sex offenders may not be subject to general public notification. Level 1 sex offenders meet most, if not all, the following criteria and are considered a low risk to the community:

• Offense is non-violent
• Offense committed in a family setting
• Offender has completed a treatment program
• Overall the offender is a low risk to the general public

Level 2

Notification Guidelines

Washington state law prohibits the public disclosure of Level 2 registered sex offender information except under specific criteria. Level 2 notifications are made to public and private schools, child day care centers, family day care providers; businesses and organizations that serve primarily children, women, or vulnerable adults; and neighbors and community groups near where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level 2 offenders MAY not be subject to a general public notification. Level 2 registered sex offenders are considered to be an intermediate or moderate risk for re-offending in the community and they meet most, if not all, of the following criteria:

• Offense occurred outside the family setting
• Victim is not a blood relative
• Offender may or may not have successfully completed a treatment program
• Multiple offenses
• Offender poses a risk to the general community residing in the immediate area of the offender
• Offender has predatory tendencies in that they involve themselves with families or communities where there are opportunities to seek out and groom victims

Level 3 

Notification Guidelines

Washington state law requires that the general public be notified of information on Level 3 registered sex offenders. Information must be relevant, accurate and necessary in it's detail. Level 3 offenders are considered to be a high risk to reoffend in the community and meet most, if not all, of the following criteria:

• Offender exhibits predatory tendencies as defined by RCW 71.09.020
• Criminal history of repeated sexual offenses, or other acts that include violence
• Offender has not completed a treatment program
• Sex offenses directed toward strangers and/or the general public
• Offender expresses intention and/or desire to continue committing offenses
• Offender diagnosed as a sexual predator by mental health professional
• Offenses have been directed toward individuals with whom the relationship has been established or promoted for the primary purpose of victimization