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The Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, commonly known as the Wetterling Act, required states to create registries of people convicted of sexually violent offenses or offenses against children. Congress enacted the sex crime laws after the 1989 disappearance and murder of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling with the intent of protecting the public from violent offenders.
Today, the provisions of the Wetterling Act remain in effect. However, because the impact of a conviction and inclusion on a sex offender registration affects every aspect of your life, you need the New Jersey Wetterling Act lawyers of Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC on your side to help you defend yourself.
The Wetterling Act was enacted as a component of The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and established rigorous requirements for states in terms of registering and tracking sex offenders.
The primary purpose of the law was to establish state sex offender registries, but it also created a new tier classification: Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs). Under the terms of the law, SVPs must register for life, while non-SVPs only need to register for ten years.
Other provisions of the act included mandatory state participation in the national sex offender registry and offender address verification; nonviolent offenders must verify their addresses annually, while SVPs had a 90-day requirement. The registration requirements also apply to federal and military offenders. Our New Jersey Wetterling Act lawyers work with all accused offenders, regardless of the severity of the crime.
The Wetterling Act did not, however, require states to notify residents about sex offenders in their areas. It gave individual states discretion over whether and how to inform the public, with options ranging from limited notification to publicly accessible databases.
Case Study
A recent case in Somerset County, Somerville, New Jersey, venue in the Superior Court proved that point. A man was accused of sexual assault, violation of NJSA 2C: 14-2. The allegation was that while a woman was drunk, he took advantage of her and committed the act of sexual assault. He was in prison for five to 10 years, under Megan’s Law.
In 2006, Congress amended the Wetterling Act with Megan’s Law. This amendment requires law enforcement agencies to release information about registered sex offenders when it’s relevant to public safety and protection. The other amendment passed at the same time was the Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act, which requires the FBI to maintain a national sex offender registry to help local enforcement agencies track sex offenders across state lines.
If someone accuses you of a sex crime in New Jersey, you need New Jersey Wetterling Act lawyers on your side to help protect your rights. A conviction can devastate your life, as inclusion on the sex offender registry can affect everything from your housing and employment options to your reputation and standing in the community.
You have the right to a vigorous defense, and the Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC criminal defense team will diligently collect evidence to help mount a credible and effective response. Our New Jersey Wetterling Act lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the applicable laws and common defenses that can help you address the allegations.
New Jersey maintains federal compliance, using a standardized tier classification for sex offenses. If the court convicts you, your offense and risk assessment determine your classification, registration, and notification requirements.
The three specific tier classifications for sex offenses are:
Registering with the New Jersey sex offender registry is just one of the consequences of a conviction. Depending on the offense, you may face jail time and fines, underscoring the need for a spirited and thorough defense.
Sex crime charges are serious, and you need seasoned New Jersey Wetterling Act lawyers to develop an aggressive defense on your behalf. The state prosecutes allegations of sex crimes to the fullest extent of the law, and the potential for criminal charges based on hearsay or even just a casual comment or accidental click on the wrong website is real and can potentially destroy your life.
Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC is here to help you answer sex crime charges. Our New Jersey sex crime lawyers will assemble a team of experts, including detectives and psychologists, to help you with your case and give you the best chance at a positive result. We can also help with reclassification cases, helping you argue for a lower-tier classification or revised risk assessment.
Contact our New Jersey sex crime lawyers at (908) 873-3571, or contact us online for a confidential initial consultation and case evaluation. Your initial consultation will take place over the phone, and you can schedule an appointment at one of our office locations across New Jersey.
The Aiello Harris Abate Law Group is made of a group of professionals that are here to help you through all challenges.
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