The Beginning of Megan's Law
Before Megan Kanka
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2013/pdf/StatisticalOverviews.pdf
http://www.statisticbrain.com/sex-offender-statistics/
- Congress passed the Federal version of 'Megan's Law' another amendment to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, in 1996.
- The federal version of Megan's Law initially did not require all 50 states to enact active notification laws.
- Congress Adopted Megan's Law into the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children's Act.
- Clinton required that convicted sex offenders registers with their local law enforcement agency.
Adam Walsh Protection Act 2006
- Convicted sex offenders were expected to register in a database
- However, law enforcement were not allowed to give information regarding individual's convictions or offenses.
- The Kanka family were not at all aware of the two prior convictions their neighbor had.
- After the death of their daughter, the Kanka family started a petitions demanding that people be aware of sex offenders in their area.
- 430,000 signatures were gathered
- This is an extension to Megan's Law.
- New registry rules were set.
- Every state must have a uniform registry regarding sex offenders.
- This also categorizes offenders based on their danger to the community and the nature of their offense
http://www.statisticbrain.com/sex-offender-statistics/
Megan's Law in Other States
Megan's Law in Georgia
- Only 28 states require juveniles convicted of sex offenses to register.
- Only 5 states require that juveniles tried as adults to register
- New Jersey has the strictest laws which require all those individuals 14 and over to register as convicted sex offenders.
Conclusion
- Georgia passed the sex offender registry in 1996
- First time offenders are excluded from the registration requirement
- http://www.klaaskids.org/meganslaw/georgia.html
- http://www.theparentsedge.com/sex_offender_registry.html
The Story
Risk Factors
- The family was unaware of the neighbor's past offenses
- Megan Kanka was left unattended
Typical Indicators
- Luring tricks/Promises of gifts
- Wants to spend excessive amounts of time with one's child
Parentsformeganslaw.org
- Megan Kanka was a 7-years old at the time of her death.
- From Hamilton, NJ
- Lived with both her parents
- Megan Kanka was last seen riding her bike around the neighborhood.
- Her body was found in Mercer County Park
The Culprit
The Victim
Found Dead July 29, 1994
- Jesse Timmendequas was arrested and charged with the rape and murder of Megan Kanka.
- It is said that he lured Megan into his house with the promise of a puppy.
- He was previously convicted in 1981 of an attack on a 5-year old child and the attempt at sexual assault on a 7-year old child.
The Origin of Megan's Law