Parker Barrett
Sex Offender Registration
AJ 102
3-22-15

Megan’s Law is a law that all states have. It is a law that requires sex offenders to register with their local law enforcements. It provides the public with information on the sex offender and their location. This allows the community to protect their children. The Law was created when Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old girl, was found raped and murdered in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. Megan was raped and murdered by her neighbor, a known sex offender. The registered sex offender had moved across from the Kanka’s without their knowledge. After the incident, the family looked to have communities warned about local sex offenders. The law was finally passed by legislature in California on August 24, 2004. Because of Megan’s Law, registered sex offenders are supposed to update their information once every year and within five days of their birthday. There are some offenders who have to update their information every month, those are transients. Sexually violent predators are supposed to update their info every 90 days. If the sex offender doesn’t update their information, sex offender websites will show the offender having a violation. When an offender moves or becomes homeless, they are supposed to notify their local agency within five days. The Department of Justice updates information of offenders every day. If sex offenders want to be excluded from websites they have to have: “(1) felony sexual battery by restraint (Pen. Code § 243.4, subd. (a)); (2) misdemeanor child molestation (Pen. Code § 647.6), or former section 647(a); (3) any offense which did not involve penetration or oral copulation, the victim of which was a child, stepchild, grandchild, or sibling of the offender, and for which the offender successfully completed or is successfully completing probation; or 4) felony child pornography conviction (Pen. Code §§ 311.1, 311.2 subd. (b), (c) or (d), or Pen. Code §§ 311.3, 311.4, 311.10, or 311.11) where the victim was at least 16 years of age or older, which must be submitted to DOJ and approved before exclusion will be granted. (meganslaw.ca.gov)” The advantages of Megan’s Law is that everyone can know about and where sex offenders are. Parents are able to protect their children by having this knowledge of registered sex offenders. If the community knows about the offender and they see the offender committing acts against their parole, they are able to report this so authorities. In addition, the rights of children and others are higher than the