The New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry was established by a law enacted in 2001 under an existing statute known as Megan’s Law. This registry makes information about certain sex offenders available to the public.
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, you’re probably wondering what having to register entails. Read on for the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject:
1. Who Is Required to Register?
Both juvenile and adult offenders must register in the state’s database if they’re convicted of a qualifying offense. Examples include sexual assault, luring or enticing, and endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in acts involving pornography or sexual conduct.
Those who were convicted before Megan’s Law went into effect on October 31, 1994 must register if they were serving a sentence at the time. And regardless of when they were convicted, offenders who are deemed repetitive and compulsive by the court must also register.
2. How Do You Register?
In order to register, you must submit a completed form to your local police department. This form requests personal information, including your place of employment and home address. The information will be checked for accuracy by the Division of State Police.
Registrations that are posted include the offender’s name, photograph, physical description, address, place of employment, vehicle, and license plate number. They also list a brief description of the offense.
3. Do Offenders Who Were Convicted in Other States Have to Register?
If you were convicted of a qualifying sex offense in another state and you relocate to New Jersey, you must register with the local police department within 10 days of your arrival. Those who work or attend school in New Jersey must also register, even if they do not reside here permanently.
4. Who Is Notified of Each New Registration?
Law enforcement agencies are notified of all new registrations. Additionally, schools, day care centers, summer camps, and community organizations are notified of Tier 2 offenders, which refer to those who pose a moderate risk. Finally, residents in the area are notified of Tier 3 offenders, which are those who pose a high risk to society.
5. Are Registered Offenders Protected from Vigilantism?
Those who take action against registered offenders—by vandalizing their property, for example, or threatening them with physical violence—can face criminal charges. It’s assumed that registered sex offenders who are not incarcerated have paid their debt to society and are in the process of being rehabilitated, so local law enforcement will take the appropriate steps to prosecute vigilantes who attempt to impede their efforts.
Speak with a Morristown Sex Crimes Attorney
If you’re facing charges for a sex crime, turn to The Law Offices of Joseph S. Scura. For more than a decade, we’ve been asserting our clients’ rights before aggressive prosecutors and judges.
Our strategic team is equipped to fight all kinds of sex crime charges, including those involving battery, lewd conduct, and solicitation. To schedule your free consultation with a sex crimes lawyer in Morristown, call 973-832-0841 or complete our Contact Form.