June 12, 2011

Senate Passes Bill Restricting Housing Options for Convicted Sex Offenders

6-12-2011 New Jersey:

June 12, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On April 28, 2011, the New Jersey state senate unanimously passed S837, a bill to further restrict where convicted sex offenders can reside. Should the bill become law, it will grant New Jersey municipalities the authority to create 500-foot "buffer zones" surrounding child-friendly sites like schools, daycare centers, playgrounds and churches. This would seriously curtail the housing options for any convicted sex offenders living in the area, and could effectively put entire towns off limits for some.

This bill is unique in that it targets ALL convicted sex offenders, including those who committed crimes while juveniles and those who have previously served their full sentence. This bill would supplant restrictions already in place with Megan's Law, the statute requiring that all convicted sex offenders register with law enforcement agencies in their chosen locale and add their name to a statewide registry that is available to the public.

New Jersey has previously attempted to limit housing options for sex offenders, in a 2006 law that was struck down as unconstitutional by the New Jersey Supreme Court. A similar law was just struck down in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, that had been on the books since 2005. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court found that the countywide ordinance that prevented convicted sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of parks, schools and daycare centers was unduly restrictive and interfered with the express purpose of laws designed to track and rehabilitate sex offenders.

Senate bill 837 is less restrictive than the recently overturned Pennsylvania law, but it would still put an onerous burden on convicted sex offenders who are trying to turn their lives around. Even if the law doesn't pass, though, sex crime convictions can have lifelong consequences like sex offender registration and public stigma.

Even if a person accused of a sex offense is convicted, there are steps that can be taken to fight an unjust conviction, or to represent the convicted person's legal interests with the many post-conviction issues that arise; such as Megan's Law tier-modification, conditions of CSL or PSL, or defense of alleged violations of Megan's Law and PSL or CSL. It is important to note that many attorneys will defend a person accused of a sex crime; however, very few attorneys concentrate their practice on assisting sex offenders with their post-conviction matters. ..Source.. by Maynard & Sumner, L.L.C.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thats it New Jersey keep messing things up one day the voters will be wise to what is going on anf remember you when it comes time be re-elected.

Anonymous said...

Half of my family lives in Jersey. Most of them know of my conviction. They would never want me restricted in this fashion, because they know me, and my case. Our elected officials are creating 'no-go' zones that will enable them to better control the populace. Be very aware of this trend. NY is about to lay a similar registry on other crimes.

RiverCyan said...

Oh, Blarney...how did this get by me. I am slippin' Please contact www.justiceinjersey.com to find the best way to get to the legislators supporting this bill.

Anonymous said...

These laws, and the voracity in which they are pushed into reality, are evidence that they are still very popular with the public. My questions are: When will the continual implimentation of these laws be enough?? Will the public EVER feel reasonably safe because of these laws?? Will all of these laws actually prevent the crimes that they proport to?? In the meantime we all continue to be punished (punitivley)"AFTER" we have paid our debt to society.

Daniel Goichman said...

another unfair law being passed against the already over-punished class of individuals known as sex offenders. here's the deal, 16 people have already been murdered as a result of megan's law. a law passed to reduce violent crime has actually increased violent crime by enabling vigilantes to carry justice into their own hands. but there is good news my friends. the govt. only cares when someone dies when they are living on this planet. so we find either a mother, father, child, or spouse of someone murdered by megans law and have them file wrongful death suit against federal govt to bring it down. most states only have 2 yr statue of limitations on wrongful death suits so we need someone murdered in the last 2 yrs. thanks

Justice In Jesey said...

I have met with one of the sponsors and requested a meeting with the other sponsor. It does not look as if the Assembly version will make it past the assembly until after this summer. But, we are trying to keep on top of this and are meeting with Assemblywoman Lampitt tomorrow. Our hope is to have aa conversation with her that will provide her with information so that this bill does not go through.

Anonymous said...

Did the Megans Law killer(in New Jersey) live 500 feet from a school??? NO - he lived right across the street from the victim...