Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 28 / Act 295 of 1994
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729 (2026)

Registration required; violations; penalties.

✓ current as of July 2026
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SEX OFFENDERS REGISTRATION ACT


Act 295 of 1994


28.729 Registration required; violations; penalties.

Sec. 9.

    (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows:

    (a) If the individual has no prior convictions for a violation of this act, by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

    (b) If the individual has 1 prior conviction for a violation of this act, by imprisonment for not more than 7 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

    (c) If the individual has 2 or more prior convictions for violations of this act, by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

    (2) An individual who willfully fails to comply with section 5a, other than payment of the fee required under section 5a(6), is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

    (3) An individual who willfully fails to sign a registration and notice as provided in section 7(4) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

    (4) An individual who willfully refuses or fails to pay the registration fee prescribed in section 5a(6) or 7(1) within 90 days of the date the individual reports under section 4a or 5a is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days.

    (5) The court shall revoke the probation of an individual placed on probation who willfully violates this act.

    (6) The court shall revoke the youthful trainee status of an individual assigned to youthful trainee status who willfully violates this act.

    (7) The parole board shall rescind the parole of an individual released on parole who willfully violates this act.

    (8) An individual's failure to register as required by this act or a violation of section 5 may be prosecuted in the judicial district of any of the following:

    (a) The individual's last registered address or residence.

    (b) The individual's actual address or residence.

    (c) Where the individual was arrested for the violation.

    

    

History: 1994, Act 295, Eff. Oct. 1, 1995 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 85, Eff. Sept. 1, 1999 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 542, Eff. Oct. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 237, Eff. Oct. 16, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 132, Eff. Jan. 1, 2006 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 18, Eff. July 1, 2011 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 295, Eff. Mar. 24, 2021

Compiler's Notes:

    For transfer of powers and duties of Michigan parole and commutation board to Michigan parole board within department of corrections, and abolishment of Michigan parole and commutation board, see E.R.O. No. 2011-3, compiled at MCL 791.305.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 73 cases (21 in the last 5 years), 1999–2026 · leading case: People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016).
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People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). · cites it 107× “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Mcfall, 873 N.W.2d 112 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 16× “729 provides, in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony .”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 22× “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People v. Solloway, 891 N.W.2d 255 (Mich. Ct. App. 2016). “, MCL 28.729. The trial court sentenced him as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.”
People v. Dowdy, 802 N.W.2d 239 (Mich. 2011). · cites it 4× “The prosecution appealed, and the Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal for lack of merit in 5 Defendant was charged with one count of violating MCL 28.729(1)(a) for failure to notify law enforcement within 10 days after he “change[d] or vacate[d] his .”
John Does v. Richard Snyder, 834 F.3d 696 (6th Cir. 2016). “See Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729 . The Plaintiffs in this case — identified here only as five “John Does” and one “Mary Doe” — are registered “Tier III” sex offenders currently residing in Michigan.”
Does v. Snyder, 101 F. Supp. 3d 672 (E.D. Mich. 2015). · cites it 4× “The challenged provisions of SORA impose criminal sanction for non-compliance, Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.729 , 734(2), 735(2), make Plaintiffs strictly liable for failure to comply with certain requirements and prohibitions, Mich.”
Roe v. Snyder, 240 F. Supp. 3d 697 (E.D. Mich. 2017). · cites it 8× “Reply at 12 (citing Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729 (8)). Cooper’s argument is little more than a repackaging of her argument concerning injury-in-fact, as it focuses on the fact that she has not yet taken affirmative action to prosecute Roe.”
People v. Juntikka, 871 N.W.2d 555 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “BACKGROUND On January 23, 2013, defendant pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender, MCL 28.729. The trial court sentenced defendant to a five-year probationary term and 12 months in the county jail.”
Bradshaw v. State, 671 S.E.2d 485 (Ga. 2008). · cites it 2× “6 § 178H(a)(2); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 28.729 (1)(c); Minn.”
People v. Dagwan, 711 N.W.2d 386 (Mich. Ct. App. 2006). “Trooper Bitner told Sergeant Pendergraff that defendant was being investigated for a possible sex offender registry violation, see MCL 28.729. Trooper Bitner asked Sergeant Pendergraff to detain defendant, so she searched defendant for weapons, then placed him in a holding cell.”
Fullmer v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 207 F. Supp. 2d 650 (E.D. Mich. 2002). · cites it 2× “MCLA § 28.729(1). 26. Persons required to register as “sexual offenders” must comply with address verification procedures for their entire registration period unless registration is suspended by the Department of State Poiice while the person is inearceráted, under civil…”
Show all 73 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(1) — 20 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Mcfall, 873 N.W.2d 112 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “729 provides, in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony .”
Fullmer v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 207 F. Supp. 2d 650 (E.D. Mich. 2002). “MCLA § 28.729(1). 26. Persons required to register as “sexual offenders” must comply with address verification procedures for their entire registration period unless registration is suspended by the Department of State Poiice while the person is inearceráted, under civil…”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People of Michigan v. Jocque Nolan (Mich. Ct. App. 2018).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(1)(a) — 16 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Dowdy, 802 N.W.2d 239 (Mich. 2011). “The prosecution appealed, and the Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal for lack of merit in 5 Defendant was charged with one count of violating MCL 28.729(1)(a) for failure to notify law enforcement within 10 days after he “change[d] or vacate[d] his .”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People v. Dowdy, 769 N.W.2d 648 (Mich. 2009).
People of Michigan v. Randey Alan Kienutske (Mich. Ct. App. 2021).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(1)(b) — 8 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People of Michigan v. Heather Renee Collins (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
People v Shaver (Mich. 2026).
People of Michigan v. Leonard Melvin Ward (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(1)(c) — 2 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People of Michigan v. Kenneth Thomas McClellan (Mich. Ct. App. 2020).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(2) — 8 cases
People v. Mcfall, 873 N.W.2d 112 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “729 provides, in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony .”
People of Michigan v. Donald Lee Bush (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Donald Lee Bush (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Cora Ladane Lymon (Mich. 2024).
People of Michigan v. Paul J Betts Jr (Mich. 2021).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(2)(a) — 3 cases
People v. Dowdy, 802 N.W.2d 239 (Mich. 2011). “The prosecution appealed, and the Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal for lack of merit in 5 Defendant was charged with one count of violating MCL 28.729(1)(a) for failure to notify law enforcement within 10 days after he “change[d] or vacate[d] his .”
People v. Dowdy, 769 N.W.2d 648 (Mich. 2009).
People v. Dowdy, 787 N.W.2d 131 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(4) — 4 cases
People v. Dowdy, 769 N.W.2d 648 (Mich. 2009).
People v. Dowdy, 787 N.W.2d 131 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010).
People of Michigan v. Donald Lee Bush (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Donald Lee Bush (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(5) — 1 case
People of Michigan v. Cora Ladane Lymon (Mich. 2024).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(8)(c) — 1 case
Roe v. Snyder, 240 F. Supp. 3d 697 (E.D. Mich. 2017). “Reply at 12 (citing Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729 (8)). Cooper’s argument is little more than a repackaging of her argument concerning injury-in-fact, as it focuses on the fact that she has not yet taken affirmative action to prosecute Roe.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(c) — 1 case
People of Michigan v. Kenneth Thomas McClellan (Mich. Ct. App. 2020).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(l)(a) — 4 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Mcfall, 873 N.W.2d 112 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “729 provides, in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony .”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People v. Dowdy, 787 N.W.2d 131 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(l)(b) — 3 cases
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
People v. Allen, 872 N.W.2d 21 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “Defendant was convicted under MCL 28.729, which provides in relevant part: (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4),[ 7 ] an individual required to be registered under this act who willfully violates this act is guilty of a felony punishable as follows: (a) If the…”
People v. Allen, 870 N.W.2d 923 (Mich. 2015).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.729(l)(c) — 1 case
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016). “In an opinion by Justice ZAHRA, joined by Chief Justice YOUNG and Justices MARKMAN, MCCORMACK, and LARSEN, the Supreme Court held: The sentence imposed for defendant’s second conviction of violating SORA could be enhanced under the habitual-offender statutes using defendant’s…”
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