Legal Definitions - Megan's Law

Megan’s Law is a federal law that requires the release of information about convicted sex offenders to protect the public from potential harm. The law was created in response to the 1994 murder of Megan Nicole Kanka in New Jersey by a convicted sex offender who lived in her neighborhood.

• Sex offenders are required to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and with each jurisdiction where they reside.
• The public can access information about registered sex offenders, including their name, photo, and address, through online databases.
• If a sex offender moves to a new location, they must notify the authorities and update their registration information.

These examples illustrate how Megan's Law works to provide information to the public about convicted sex offenders in their area. By requiring sex offenders to register and making that information available to the public, Megan's Law aims to prevent future crimes and protect potential victims.