'Megan's Laws' face legal challenges by sex offenders: disclosure is extra punishment for crimes committed before law enacted, litigators argue

Article Abstract:

Although Massachusetts became the 50th state to establish a database of sex offenders, laws requiring sex offenders to notify local authorities of their presence and laws permitting disclosure of sex offender status have been called into question in a number of jurisdictions. Courts in New York and Connecticut have struck down notification requirements as unconstitutional ex post facto laws, and the Supreme Court of Kansas has limited public disclosure to those convicted after April 14, 1994. Oregon's law has been found constitutional, and New Jersey has expanded its program to encompass criminal acts that did not result in convictions.

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Retroactive laws, Kansas, Ex post facto laws, New York (State)

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Sex offender laws require notification: 'Megan's Law,' other rules face constitutional challenges

Article Abstract:

A US district Court in New Jersey has found that the state's Sexual Offender Registration Act was constitutional to the extent it required registration with local authorities but found public notification to be punitive. The statute, known as "Megan's Law", contains a retroactivity provision that was also struck down by the court. The state characterized the law as consistent with public access laws, but the plaintiff argued that disclosure of his name and whereabouts constituted a violation of his right to privacy.

Ex-convicts

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John Riggins wins suit over real estate ad

Article Abstract:

The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled in Town & Country Properties, Inc. v. Riggins that use of the name of a former football star in promotional materials was conversion under the state's privacy laws. The ex-wife of John Riggins used his name and notoriety to solicit customers to come see the house she was trying to sell, which had been the home of Riggins. The court affirmed the lower court in finding that the advertisement was commercial speech and that Riggins name was not used incidentally.

Virginia, Trover and conversion, Trover, Riggins, John

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