Post by CoOkie on Apr 17, 2016 11:40:43 GMT -5
I know there has been some speculation about this on this forum or over at CoC, but I don't think any consensus has ever been reached. I figured I'd post this to put this mystery to bed once and for all. I found out why we can't find any sex offender registry information about the New Jersey predators.
New Jersey has a completely closed sex offender registry. The state does not publish sex offender information online. Public notification of a convicted sex offender is only required if the offender is classified in the maximum risk category (see below). Even then, "public notification" only refers to schools, community organizations involving children, public gathering places, and people living within a half mile radius of the offender. I believe most of the New Jersey predators would be classified as low risk, in which case only law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the offender would be notified.
Unless some of the New Jersey predators traveled from another state with a public sex offender registry (like Todd Lewis from Pennsylvania) or they move to a state with a public sex offender registry (like when Richard Burnham moved to Florida), we've likely heard the last from Gay Romano, et al.
www.nj.org/meg.html
"Under Megan's Law, convicted sex offenders in New Jersey are required to register with their local police department. Prosecutors review the original offense, prison record, and determine whether the offender has a job or other community ties to evaluate potential risk.
The requirement of community notification and its scope hinge upon the risk of re-offense which, in turn, defines the "tier" or category in which the offender is placed.
The three risk categories are:
LOW ~ No public notification required; but all law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the offender must be notified as well as the victim(s) and his/her family.
MODERATE ~ Requires limited notification such as schools (public and private), or other places where children gather; as well as the victim(s) and his/her family. It also requires notification to organizations in the community, including religious and youth organizations likely to encounter the offender.
MAXIMUM ~ Requires public notification, including posting information on bulletin boards at police stations, or public community gathering places. In addition members of the public likely to encounter the person registered (i.e. individuals residing within a half mile radius of the offender's domicile) should also be notified."
New Jersey has a completely closed sex offender registry. The state does not publish sex offender information online. Public notification of a convicted sex offender is only required if the offender is classified in the maximum risk category (see below). Even then, "public notification" only refers to schools, community organizations involving children, public gathering places, and people living within a half mile radius of the offender. I believe most of the New Jersey predators would be classified as low risk, in which case only law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the offender would be notified.
Unless some of the New Jersey predators traveled from another state with a public sex offender registry (like Todd Lewis from Pennsylvania) or they move to a state with a public sex offender registry (like when Richard Burnham moved to Florida), we've likely heard the last from Gay Romano, et al.
www.nj.org/meg.html
"Under Megan's Law, convicted sex offenders in New Jersey are required to register with their local police department. Prosecutors review the original offense, prison record, and determine whether the offender has a job or other community ties to evaluate potential risk.
The requirement of community notification and its scope hinge upon the risk of re-offense which, in turn, defines the "tier" or category in which the offender is placed.
The three risk categories are:
LOW ~ No public notification required; but all law enforcement agencies likely to encounter the offender must be notified as well as the victim(s) and his/her family.
MODERATE ~ Requires limited notification such as schools (public and private), or other places where children gather; as well as the victim(s) and his/her family. It also requires notification to organizations in the community, including religious and youth organizations likely to encounter the offender.
MAXIMUM ~ Requires public notification, including posting information on bulletin boards at police stations, or public community gathering places. In addition members of the public likely to encounter the person registered (i.e. individuals residing within a half mile radius of the offender's domicile) should also be notified."
