Megan’s Law

Megan’s Law in New Jersey Sex Offender Cases

There are few allegations in this world as serious as an accusation of committing a sex crime. The consequences in your life can be absolutely devestating. You may face significant penalties including fines, jail time, lifetime registry as a sex offender pursuant to Megan’s Law. Loss of your job and professional license may occur as well. You probably already realize that even if you aren’t convicted, your reputation is likely to be destroyed unless you secure a not guilty verdict or a dismissal of your charges. The Moriartys know how to defend these types of charges and how to get the job done.

Contact us 24 hours a day. Call (732) 842-7773, or you can contact us by email to protect your rights.

Our attorneys have spent years working in the various local and county courts dealing with these types of charges. We have built a sterling reputation defending all levels of criminal matters in New Jersey.

Megan’s Law in New Jersey Sex Crime Cases

Megan’s Law was passed and became effective on October 31, 1994 and applies if a criminal defendant is convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or found not guilty by reason of insanity to any of the following criminal offenses or an attempt to commit any of the following:

• Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact
• Kidnapping (where the victim is less than sixteen (16) years old)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Minor by Engaging in Sexual Contact with a Minor
• Endangering the Welfare of a Minor by knowingly receiving for the purpose of selling, knowingly sells, procures, manufactures, gives, provides etc. through any means (including the internet) any photos, films, videos, etc. which depict a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act
• Luring or Enticing a Minor
• Criminal Sexual Contact (if the victim is under the age of eighteen (18))
• Kidnapping (where the victim is under 18 and the offender is not the parent)
• Criminal Restraint (where the victim is under 18 and the offender is not the parent)
• False Imprisonment (where the victim is under 18 and the offender is not the parent)
• Termination of Registration and/or Parole Supervision

Under New Jersey law, after fifteen (15) years, sex offenders can move to terminate the obligation to register and/or be released from parole supervision, if they can show no subsequent convictions and that they are no longer a threat to others. Megan’s Law became effective on 10/31/94 so many convicted sex offenders now have the ability to apply for removal, and many sex offenders may attempt to terminate their registration. The Public Defender’s office is not allowed to file these motions so these defendants must hire a private attorney to file these motions with the court.

Community Supervision for Life in New Jersey

If the offender was convicted for any of the following offenses and the offense occurred after October 31, 1994 (when Megan’s Law became effective) but before January 14, 2004, then Community Supervision for life will apply:

• Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact
• Kidnapping (N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1(c)(2) ONLY)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Minor by engaging in sexual conduct with a minor (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a) ONLY)
• Luring or Enticing a Minor

You can call (732) 842-7773 anytime, 24 hours a day, to speak with a lawyer at our office. You may also contact us by e-mail to schedule your free initial consultation.