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Megan’s Law Attorney in Middlesex County

NJ Megan’s Law Sex Offender Registration

Megan’s Law Attorneys in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Megan’s Law was enacted after seven-year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton Township was raped and murdered by a neighbor. Because of the legislation, New Jersey requires certain convicted sex offenders to register with their local police departments. Megan’s Law involves several elements, including registration, classification of offenders through “tiering,” possible notice to the public based on the individual’s tier assignment, and the potential to remain on the registry for the remainder of the offender’s life. If you require assistance with a Megan’s Law case in New Brunswick, Edison, South Brunswick, Carteret, Woodbridge, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, or elsewhere in Middlesex County, the attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law have the knowledge and experience you are looking for. Megan’s Law is complex and not easily explained or understood by lay people in New Jersey. Fortunately, our skilled Megan’s Law attorneys have been practicing in this area for some time and we are here to serve your best interests. We understand the frustration and difficulty that those who must register face and the myriad of ways in which sex offense accusations can jeopardize your life and your livelihood. Contact our local office in Edison at (732)-659-9600 to discuss your specific situation free of charge. We are committed to providing the information you need and protecting your privacy.

New Jersey Megan’s Law for Convicted Sex Offenders

Megan’s Law requires convicted sex offenders to register their residences and personal information with the local police departments. For example, if you live in the town of New Brunswick, you must go to New Brunswick Police Department and register your address. This is required even when the offender is experiencing bouts of homelessness. The idea behind the law is that the police, and possibly residents of Middlesex County, should know where sex offenders are living and that knowing where an offender lives may better serve to protect the children in that community.

Certain offenses require a person to register as a sex offender. Crimes that entail Megan’s Law registration for those convicted are as follows:

  • Endangering the welfare of a child via child pornography or sex offense against a minor
  • Sexual assault
  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Promoting prostitution of a minor
  • Aggravated criminal sexual contact
  • Criminal sexual contact (minor child)
  • Kidnapping
  • Luring or enticing
  • Criminal restraint (minor other than your own child)
  • False imprisonment (minor other than your own child)

Anyone convicted of the above offenses must register with their local police department. This includes juvenile and adult offenders, as well as those who move from other states. Additionally, those who are going to move must advise of the move and the change of address prior to the relocation. If you or anyone you know fails to register, you may be charged with a third degree crime for failing to register and are thus exposed to up to 5 years’ imprisonment.

Tiering for Sex Offender Community Notification in NJ

Megan’s Law includes possible notification of one’s offenses and whereabouts to the public. While certain sex offenses require registration, the form of notification to the public will be based on various factors and what is known as “tiering.” For instance, you may be familiar with websites permitting a search of sex offenders by location. The database will list the person’s name, their whereabouts, a photograph, and the specific offenses for which they were convicted. However, not all convicted sex offenders will be placed on the internet registry, nor will their cases involve the same notification process.

“Tiering” of sex offenders is essentially a classification of those who are established to be the most dangerous to the public. Those who are a high risk are Tier 3, while lower risk offenders are Tier 1. Moderate risk results in a Tier 2 classification. Only Tiers 2 and 3 allow for publication of offender details on the internet. Many factors are considered when determining what tier classification you will receive. Additionally, many juvenile offenders (with exceptions) are exempt from publication to the community, but not registration.
Registration is required, as is updating your information with law enforcement, but in some instances you can apply to be removed from the Megan’s Law registry or registration requirements.

Removal from Megan’s Law Registration Requirements

Save for exceptional circumstances, those who committed sex offenses requiring registration under Megan’s Law must continue to register for the duration of their lives. However, in limited circumstances, a person may apply to be exempt from continued registration. For example, the law permits an offender to file a motion with the court to be removed from the registry. The application is based on the facts that only one sex offense was committed and that no other offenses were committed within 15 years. Additionally, there must be an assertion that removal from the registry will not result in a risk to the public. Similarly, those who were under the age of 14 when they committed the offense can apply for removal once they are over the age of 18.

Edison Megan’s Law Defense Lawyer Free Consultation

If you have been charged with a sex crime, are facing sex offender registration, want to file a motion to be removed from Megan’s Law, or need defense for failure to register in Middlesex County NJ, contact us at (732)-659-9600 today. Our lawyers will provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.