Megan's Law

Megan's Laws were named for a seven-year-old New Jersey girl, Megan Kanka, who was kidnapped, raped and killed in 1994 by a neighbor who had been convicted twice of sex crimes involving children. Her parents, who lived across the street from the offender, knew nothing of the offender's past (Savage, 2002). This type of law requires that the sex offenders register with the state upon their release. Some states require that the person register with the police, and others put the information on the Internet for those who wish to know the whereabouts of previous offenders before buying a house in a particular neighborhood. Offenders are required to notify authorities if they change their address. A second violation of this requirement can bring seven more years in prison (Rashbaum, 2003). All 50 states and the District of Columbia have adopted Megan's Laws, and Great Britain is attempting to copy the law (Lane, 2002).

In 21 states, including Connecticut and Alaska, people can check the state's Web site listing sex offenders by simply logging onto the computer. California and other states make listings available at police stations. State officials also notify communities when especially dangerous offenders reside there (Savage, 2002). These measures came in a wave of state laws targeting sex criminals during the 1990s. Because sex offenders are seen as likely to repeat their crimes, states have been eager to enact measures that go beyond ordinary criminal laws. Re

Related Essays

Megan's Law Statutes .... 895 (2000). Lawrence v. Texas, 123 S.Ct. 2472 (2003). .... 2002). "Megan's Law." New Jersey Public Laws 1994, chapter.133 (codified at Title 2C:7-1 - 7-11 (1994)). .... (2725 11 )

MANDATORY SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION Introductio .... NJ's Megan's Law is seen as model, but still has its flaws. USA Today, Final, NEWS Section, p. 01A. Hampson, R. (May 14, 1997). .... (6787 27 )

Sexual Offender Registration .... 895 (2000). Lawrence v. Texas, 123 S.Ct. 2472 (2003). .... 2002). "Megan's Law." New Jersey Public Laws 1994, chapter.133 (codified at Title 2C:7-1 - 7-11 (1994)). .... (2724 11 )

Seven Short Essays .... it clear that the Ex Post Facto Clause(s) does not .... clear that an ex post facto .... is only .... In a recently (2003) decided Megan's Law case regarding Alaska's sex .... (2532 10 )

Seven Legal Questions 1) In his 1997 book, A Ma .... it clear that the Ex Post Facto Clause(s) does not .... clear that an ex post facto .... is only .... In a recently (2003) decided Megan's Law case regarding Alaska's sex .... (2532 10 )

SEX OFFENDERS This research paper outlines and .... Megan's laws have been contested in various jurisdictions. .... In G. Ryan & S. Lane (Eds.). .... Sexual assault of young children as reported to .... enforcement: victim .... (3548 14 )

nstitutional about that?" (Savage, 2002, p.A23). Scalia places the public's right to that information in a similar position as the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list. Those persons do not protest that their constitutional rights are being taken away. California and several other states authorized officials to lock up sexual predators after they had served their prison sentences. The Supreme Court upheld those laws in 1997 with a 5-4 vote, ruling that the extra confinement was not construed as extra punishment. John Roberts, a Washington attorney and President Bush's nominee to the U.S. court of appeals in Washington, says that the purpose of Megan's Laws is to inform, not to shame (Savage, p.A24). In the Connecticut case, several justices said they did not see how the Internet posting violated any constitutional right. Even though the predators feel that they are being punished beyond the scope of their crimes, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist asked, "Can truthful information ever be stigmatizing?" (Savage, p.A24). States seem reluctant to change their Megan's Laws, as most Americans have few qualms about singling out sex offenders for special treatment. Lawmakers seem reluctant to tamper with a law named after a dead or missi

Category: Government - M