# Why searchable database for sex offenders but not other criminals?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-searchable-database-for-sex-offenders-but-not-other-criminals/290117>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 15, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-searchable-database-for-sex-offenders-but-not-other-criminals/290117 "2005-02-15T01:52:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-searchable-database-for-sex-offenders-but-not-other-criminals/290117/1 "2005-02-15T01:52:49Z")

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Or is there and I’m not aware of it. I know that there are background checks that one can do to determine if someone’s been convicted of a crime, but AFAIK, there is nothing like the various sex offender databases where one could find the information in an essentially public area.

Is there a reason for this, or was it just legislative fiat?

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**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-searchable-database-for-sex-offenders-but-not-other-criminals/290117/2 "2005-02-15T06:30:23Z")

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I believe it’s just legislative fiat. They are all various state spinoffs of “Megan’s Law”. You can google that and find the particular law in your state.