Static 99

The STATIC-99 (Static 99) is a risk assessment tool designed to assist in the prediction of sexual and violent recidivism among adult male sex offenders. The STATIC-99 is used in most states and is the approved tool in California and is specifically required for registerable sex offenses pursuant to California Penal Code Section 290.03-08. In California, The STATIC-99 is a two page report prepared by the Probation Department prior to the sentencing of a defendant on a registerable sex crime. It is not necessary to interview the offender to score the STATIC-99 report.

The STATIC-99 was created by R. Karl Hanson and David Thornton in 1999 and is based on follow-up studies from Canada and the United Kingdom with a total sample size of 1,301 sexual offenders. The STATIC-99 contains 10 items and produces estimates of future risk based on the number of risk factors present in any one individual. These risk factors are:

Presence of prior sexual offenses
Having committed a current non-sexual violent crime
Having a history of non-contact sex offenses
History of non-sexual violence
The number of prior sentencing dates on the criminal record
The age of the victim is less than 18 years old
Having male victims
Having unrelated victims
Having victims who are strangers to the defendant
Having never lived with a lover for two continuous years.

The STATIC-99 report will contain a score that can range from 0 to 12. A score of 0 to 1 is considered Low Risk. A score of 2 and 3 is Moderate to Low Risk. A score of 4 and 5 is a Moderate-High Risk. A score of 6 or higher is considered High Risk. The STATIC-99 report is used by the judge in sentencing defendants for serious sex crimes. The judge will use the report as a reference point in sentencing the defendant. The lower the risk score the more likely the judge will impose a lighter or more lenient sentence.

If you or someone you know is facing sex crime charges, contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to learn about your rights, defenses, and legal options.