Opinion ID: 773077
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Applies to criminal behavior

Text: 63 That a statute applies only to behavior that it already criminal is an additional factor supporting the conclusion that its effect is punitive. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. at 168. As the state concedes, the Alaska statute applies only to those convicted of specified offenses. Alaska Stat. S 12.63.100(5). 64 In Russell, the fact that the statute applied to Washington sex offenders who were not found guilty of a crime as well as to those who were convicted was central to our conclusion that the Act was not punitive. 124 F.3d at 1091. Washington's statute specifically subjects sex offenders incompetent to stand trial and persons civilly committed as sexual psychopaths to its registration and notification requirements. Id. When considering Utah's sex offender registration and notification law, the Tenth Circuit concluded that the criminal behavior factor favored classification of the statute as nonpunitive because it applied to those found not guilty on the ground of mental incapacity. Femedeer , 227 F.3d at 1252 & n. 3. 65 In contrast to Washington's and Utah's statute, Alaska's applies only to those found guilty, including those found guilty but mentally ill. Alaska Stat.S 12.63.100(3). It does not cover those found not guilty by reason of insanity, or otherwise not convicted of a crime or those civilly committed. 11 Id. Unlike other states' sex offender registration laws, the Alaska statute's harsh requirements can be imposed only on individuals who have suffered an actual criminal conviction in a court of law. Thus, this factor also provides support for the conclusion that the Act's effect is punitive.