Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Unit - Megan's Law
On October 31, 1994, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed legislation mandating the registration of certain sex offenders and requiring community notification in appropriate circumstances. These laws are commonly referred to as Megan’s Laws.
Registration - The laws place significant responsibility upon the County Prosecutor. The prosecutor must cooperate with various state agencies in locating, registering, and researching the criminal and social history of sex offenders. Registration involves photographing, fingerprinting, and assembling personal information on sex offenders. Our Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Unit tracks the whereabouts of approximately 1000 sex offenders who have registered within Passaic County since the enactment of Megan’s Law in 1994. Community Notification - In addition to the registration requirements of Megan’s Law, the prosecutor must assess each registrant’s potential to re-offend. The prosecutor must assign the registrant to either TIER I (low risk), TIER II (moderate risk), or TIER III (high risk), using a tool called the Registrant Risk Assessment Scale (RRAS). Registrants may object to their status as TIER II or TIER III and are entitled to a court hearing. After the registrant’s risk level is assessed and, if required, upheld by the court, the community is notified as follows:
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