the State of New Jersey continues to increase the required provisions and conditions for registrants of PSL and CSL. In August 2007, Governor John Corzine signed the Sex Offender Monitoring Act which requires certain high-risk offenders to wear GPS tracking units 24-7.
In 1994, the State of New Jersey Legislature passed the famous Megan’s Law, or less commonly called the Sex Offenders Act of 1994. Megan’s Law is widely known throughout New Jersey as a community notification program; designed to protect communities from crimes committed by convicted sex offenders. At the Morristown law firm of Maynard & Sumner, LLC, our attorneys are highly experienced in the practice of Megan’s Law. Contact us today for a free consultation by either email or call 973-540-0054.
Understanding the Law
Among one of the earliest states to address convicted sex offenders reentry into society, New Jersey passed the Sex Offenders Act of 1994 in response to the rape and murder of a 7-year-old southern New Jersey girl, Megan Kanka. Other states, like California, passed laws that required convicted sex offenders to be registered; however, New Jersey increased the scope of preceding laws by adding a community notification component. By 1996, the federal government passed its own version of Megan’s Law; and in the years shortly following, every state in the union adopted local versions of the law.
The New Jersey Sex Offenders Act established the State Central Registry requiring sex offenders to register and verify their home and work address yearly. Convicted sex offenders are categorized by a tier-system designating the offender’s risk level of recidivism. The tier level is assigned to the offender after an assessment of the severity of the crime and likelihood of re-offense. The level of community notification is based on the sex offender’s tier level (One, the lowest, and Three, the highest).
Your Options
If you or a loved one is a convicted sex offender, you are still afforded equal rights and protections under the United States and New Jersey Constitutions. Therefore, if you feel you have been unjustly convicted or were given too harsh a sentence or tier, you may have the right to challenge the conviction or sentence. Under the guidance of attorneys who are proficient in Megan’s Law, you can petition to have your tier level reduced (otherwise known as a modification), or, if you qualify, have your sex offender status terminated.
In addition, if you have been violated for either failing to register or verify your address, it is important to defend yourself and avoid the possibility of an additional conviction, which can affect your ability to apply for a termination.
Conclusion
Built on nearly two decades of experience in Megan’s Law matters, the attorneys at Maynard & Sumner, LLC, can help guide you through the process ranging from defending against sexual offense charges to tier-modifications to terminating your status as a sex offender. Contact us online now or call us at 973-540-0054 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.
New Jersey Megan’s Law Tier-Classification
New Jersey Megan’s Law Tier-Assessment
Megan’s Law Termination Eligibility Criteria
Special Sentence of Parole Supervision for Life
PSL Internet Access Conditions
New Jersey Sex Offender Monitoring Act
Articles
Assessing Sex Offender Risk: New Jersey's Method
Cognitive, Behavior approaches to the treatment of adult sex offenders
Managing Sex Offenders by Assessing Dynamic Risk Factors
Overview of Sex Offender Risk Assessment
The Psychologist's Perspective
New Jersey Army Recruiter Arrested for Child Pornography
