According to Frank Corrado, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, “These laws were adopted with the best of intentions, but they’re ineffective because they tend to either force [offenders] to go underground, meaning people don’t register with local authorities, or they make it impossible for them to live in supportive environments that can help them lead productive lives within the bounds of the law. So they end up actually being counterproductive.”
In reaching their unanimous 6-0 decision, the judges reasoned that Megan’s Law already has extensive community supervision requirements. Sex offenders must comply with curfews, submit to counseling and have parole officers approve employments and volunteer activities. Further, parole officers must approve of any living arrangements and requests to relocate.
Members of the New Jersey League of Municipalities will now lobby legislators to adopt a statewide residency restriction such as the ones upheld by courts in Illinois and Iowa.