Megan’s Law
By Tom Chaves, Esq.
Under Megan’s Law those convicted of certain sexual crimes against a child must register as sex offenders with public notification in some cases. As outlined in N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2 there are three tiers of varying degrees of consequences which depend on the nature of the charges and the classification set by the Prosecutor’s Office. The three tiers are as follows:
- Tier I: Notification is made only to the local police.
- Tier II: Notification is made not only to law enforcement, but also to community organizations and groups likely to come into contact with the individual. Offenders in this tier are placed on the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry, which has the person’s criminal history, mug shot, and town of residence.
- Tier III: Notification includes all that is listed under tier I and II but also can require the wearing of an ankle monitoring device so that the offender is restricted to the times and places set forth in the court order. There is also parole supervision for life under this classification.
Anyone charged with an offense under Megan’s Law, such as aggravated sexual assault or sexual contact with a minor, will carry that stigma for life if it is not resolved by an experienced attorney. Employers completing background checks will not hire a person listed on the Megan’s Law Registry.
Your social and financial well-being are at stake if you do not have your offense resolved. If you are dealing with this issue, you need an experienced attorney who can litigate all aspects of Megan’s Law. For a free consultation, call me, Tom Chaves, at (908) 256-3039.