The essential goal of the registration and notification procedure contained in Megan's Law is to provide law enforcement officials, and those most likely to encounter a sex offender, an awareness of a potential hazard. The law simply gives a modicum of notice to the local community that a dangerous offender is in its midst. Moreover, the information involved is not private, but rather, it is a matter of public record. Most often, this type of criminal activity is committed over time, cloaked in the shadows of secrecy. As in little Megan s case, the perpetrator usually seeks to establish a relationship of trust with the vulnerable and unguarded victim.
Statistics regarding repeat offenses are staggeringly high.
The legislators in New Jersey, and thirty-seven other states that responsibly passed this law, deserve our praise. And while we are giving accolades, we should commend our Supreme Court for respecting the legislative process and safeguarding state sovereignty. Let s hope this truly signals a trend.