As of July 2024, individuals who were found delinquent as juveniles for Megan’s Law offenses are not required to meet the 15-year “offense-free” requirement that adults must meet in order to end lifetime registration requirements.

What is Megan’s Law?

Megan’s Law requires those who commit certain sex offenses to register with a New Jersey law enforcement agency. Failure to register or update registration is a third-degree criminal offense. Registration is based on a tier system, which evaluates the level of risk of re-offense. If you are subject to these requirements, you must register unless you can meet standards set forth in the law to end the requirement and the court terminates your obligation to register. The registry can be viewed on the internet by the general public, employers, and community organizations, but cannot be used to threaten, intimidate, or harass.

How can I end my obligation to register under Megan’s Law?

If you are subject to Megan’s Law requirements, you may apply to the Superior Court to end your obligation. If you were convicted as an adult, you will need to prove that you have not committed any offense within 15 years following conviction or release from a correctional facility for a term of imprisonment, whichever is later, and are not likely to pose any threat to the safety of others. If you were found to have committed sex offenses before the age of 14, you can terminate your registration obligation at age 18 by proving that you are not a threat to the safety of others at a hearing in the Law Division. (Those convicted of certain offenses including serious violent sex offenses and repeated sex offenses are not eligible for this relief.)

What changed as a result of the recent Supreme Court decision?

In the Matter of R.H., the Supreme Court recognized that juvenile matters should be treated differently than those in the adult system and determined that the 15 year offense-free period does not apply to them. Applicants are still required to establish that they do not pose a risk to public safety before such an application can be granted.

How does this case affect me?

If you were found delinquent of a Megan’s Law offense and subject to a lifetime registration requirement you may be eligible to apply to terminate your obligation even if you do not have 15 years “offense-free” since your adjudication or release from a facility. You can apply to terminate your obligation to register at the age of 18 or whenever you able to provide clear and convincing evidence to the court that you do not pose a threat to the safety of others.

For more information on juvenile records, expungement, and other reentry-related issues, visit Reentry. If you need help with other civil legal issues, contact the LSNJLAW^SM Hotline online at www.lsnjlawhotline.org or by calling 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529).

This information last reviewed: Nov 12, 2024