Attorney General's News Release

Sept. 5, 1997

Sex offender information is public under Missouri law, Nixon says in formal opinion

Jefferson City, Mo. — Information from sex offenders who are required to register with local law enforcement is a public record, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today in a formal opinion. Greene County Prosecutor J. Ronald Carrier had requested an opinion from Nixon to interpret two laws passed this year by the Missouri General Assembly that dealt with sex offender registration.

Nixon concluded that the name, address and offender's crime is public information as outlined in Senate Bill 56, and that there is no conflict between Senate Bill 56 and House Bill 883, a law dealing with the same topic and also passed during the 1997 legislative session.

"Law enforcement officials are understandably cautious when interpreting new laws. This opinion will provide guidance on this important public safety issue," Nixon said today at a news conference in Springfield where he was joined by Carrier and Greene County Sheriff John Pierpont.

Senate Bill 56 says: "(t)he local law enforcement agency shall provide a complete list of the names and addresses of each offender registered within each agency's jurisdiction as well as the crime for which such offender was convicted to any person upon request."

Confusion among law enforcement officials arose because House Bill 883 outlines additional information that cannot be released, including fingerprints and statements.

"There are two statutes enacted at the same legislative session dealing with similar topics," Nixon wrote in the opinion. "In interpreting statutes, courts strive both to implement the policy of the legislature and to harmonize all provisions of the statutes. ... The principle that statutes should be construed harmoniously when they relate to the same subject matter is all the more compelling when statutes are passed in the same legislative session."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818