Fighting a “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender” Charge in Orlando

By: John Guidry II

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender is a ridiculously serious charge in Florida. It’s classified as a Level 7 offense, which means it scores mandatory prison time upon conviction. Frankly, taxpayer money is being wasted sending people to prison for what should be handled with a simple fine.

The good news is that these charges are often based on a misunderstanding of the law by law enforcement, and they are highly defensible. The key is to act correctly from the very beginning.

Facing a Failure to Register Charge in Central Florida? This is a mandatory prison offense. Your first and most important move is to say nothing to the police. Your second move is to call an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call John Guidry: (407) 423-1117

The #1 Defense: Your Only Duty is to Register, Not to Be Home

Sex offender task forces are everywhere, and their job is to verify addresses by knocking on doors. This is where the confusion starts. Many people are arrested simply because the police have knocked on their door several times and they were never home when the police were there.

Here is the legal reality:

• Your only legal duty is to accurately register the address where you live.
• You are not legally required to be at that address 24/7 or to answer the door every time law enforcement knocks.

You are constitutionally permitted to be at work, at the grocery store, or sitting on your couch watching a football game in overtime. If you have correctly registered your address, the fact that the police can’t find you there on their schedule is their problem, not yours. It is not a crime.

The Golden Rule: Do NOT Talk to the Police

This is the most critical piece of advice I can give you. If you think you can talk your way out of this situation before hiring an attorney, you may destroy your own defense. People who try to “explain” things to the police often make admissions or provide information that closes the very legal loopholes we could have used to get the case dismissed. The only thing you should say is, “I am exercising my right to remain silent, and I want a lawyer.”

How to Hire the Right Attorney for Your Case

These charges are getting dismissed left and right—when they are handled correctly. When you are looking for representation, you need to ask one very important question: “Have you defended these specific ‘Failure to Register’ cases before?”

You would be surprised how many criminal defense attorneys have little to no experience with the unique technicalities of these charges. You need a local attorney who knows the law, knows the judges in your area, and knows how to build this specific defense.

If you’re accused of this crime here in Central Florida—meaning Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Lake, or Osceola County—my office has been defending people against these exact allegations since 1993. This thing can work out for you, but you must take the right steps. Call us today.nty, my office handles these here and we’d be happy to help.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.