Convicted Sex Offenders Move to Avoid Megan’s Law Registration Requirements
A person who is convicted of serious sex crimes in New Jersey is required to register as a sex offender. This is a consequence of Megan’s Law, which established a sex offender Internet registry and mandates that certain paroled sex offenders must register their residency with local authorities. The sex offender registration law also requires individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses to alert authorities when they intend to move. However, many people subject to Megan’s Law are slipping through the cracks by moving across state lines.
There are currently more than 15,000 registered sex offenders living in New Jersey, according to a report issued by NJ officials. Across the United States, there are more than 800,000 people who have registered as sex offenders, according to data from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
With so many sex offenders residing in communities across the U.S., law enforcement has placed a special priority on making sure that individuals who attempt to evade Megan’s Law registration requirements are tracked down and charged.
Since the NJ Megan’s Law was adopted in 1994, nearly 5,000 sex offenders have been convicted of failing to register a change of address within New Jersey. That works out to an average of 240 sex offenders per year who are violating Megan’s Law sex offender registration requirements – and that’s just the violations that are known to law enforcement.
Finding sex offenders becomes extremely difficult when the person goes across state lines and moves to another state. That’s when federal authorities often have to get involved. And when the violator is returned to New Jersey, they usually face severe penalties that include additional prison time.
For further information about Megan’s Law registration requirements, access the NJ.com article, “How Convicted Sex Offenders Fly under the Radar.”
If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime, or if you were previously convicted of a sex crime and are looking to be removed from Megan’s Law registration requirements, you need to talk to a qualified New Jersey criminal defense attorney. The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC can help you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.