What is Megan’s Law Community Notification?
Community Notification is a means of alerting the community that a sex offender, who has been determined to be a moderate risk or high risk to re-offend, is living in the community.
A Superior Court Judge makes this determination after a tier classification hearing (which is not open to the public).
Who receives Community Notifications?
If allowed by the courts, the following establishments receive community notification:
Tier 1 Risk Level: Low Risk to Re-offend – Who receives Notification:
Police in the towns in which the registrant lives, works and/or goes to school
Tier 2 Risk Level: Moderate Risk to Re-Offend – Who receives Notification:
Police in the towns in which the registrant lives, works and/or goes to school.
Schools and registered community groups who are charged with the care of children and domestic violence victims in a designated area around where the registrant lives, works, and/or goes to school.
Tier 3 Risk Level: High Risk to Re-Offend – Who receives Notification:
Police in the towns in which the registrant lives, works and/or goes to school.
Schools and registered community groups who are charged with the care of children and domestic violence victims in a designated area around where the registrant lives, works, and/or goes to school and the general public in a designated area around where the registrant lives, works, and/or goes to school.
Organization Notification Application – What is a “School or Community Group”?
A ‘School or community group’ has been defined as anyone that owns or operates an establishment where children gather under their care or where women are cared for.
Certain groups are automatically qualified: Public Schools, Licensed Day Care Facilities, and Summer Camps.
In order to qualify as a school or community which will receive notice, the court must find that the members of the group are “likely to encounter” the registrant.
If you belong to a school or community group and would like to make an application to receive this type of notice, you may file an application with your local police department or the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Department of Recreation, PAL, Battered Women’s Shelter, etc., are examples of organizations that may apply to receive notifications.
A link to the Community Notification Form (fillable) can be found on the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s website under the “PUBLIC FACING DOCUMENTS” Atlantic County & “Other” Resources tab or by clicking here.