Sex offenders will have marked driver’s licenses

The driver’s licenses of sexual predators or sexual offenders will have a new look. Beginning Wednesday, any person who is designated as a predator or offender will have a new marking on his or her driver’s license. Seven offenders are registered as living on Marco Island.

“I believe that this type of identification of persons that have been judged either a sexual predator or sexual offenders is an excellent idea,” Marco Island Police Department Capt. Thom Carr said. “Until now, law enforcement could not readily identify these individuals. Now we will have the opportunity to know who we are interviewing.”

The front of the driver’s licenses of sexual predators and offenders will be marked in the lower right corner. For sexual predators, “775.21, F.S.” will appear. Florida Statute 775.21 is called “The Florida Sexual Predators Act.”

For sexual offenders, “943.0435, F.S.” will be marked on the front. Registration and identification of sexual offenders is defined in Florida Statute 943.0435.

Submitted photo

The front of the driver’s licenses of sexual predators and offenders will be marked in the lower right corner. The mark for sexual predators is “775.21, F.S.” and for offenders is “943.0435, F.S.”

According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the predators and offenders have until Feb. 1, 2008 to obtain a marked license or identification card.

The Sexual Offender Database can be viewed at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web site.