NGRI and Megan's Law: no exit?
Megan's Law, an effort to enhance community safety by requiring sex offenders to register and to notify their communities, often for life, has been enacted in all jurisdictions of the United States. Although the ostensible intent of the law is nonpunitive, many registrants feel it infringes on their freedom. Nevertheless, the law has passed constitutional scrutiny. Megan's Law pertains principally to convicted sex offenders, including those adults and juveniles who have entered guilty pleas. This article reveals that many jurisdictions require individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) to register if the offense in question falls under Megan's Law. Thus, insanity acquittees run the risk of interminable supervision. We discuss a recent challenge to the Arkansas registration law and the decision's implications for planning forensic mental health testimony.
Weiss
Kenneth J
KJ
Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ, USA. kweiss@comcast.net
Watson
Clarence
C
D001131:Arkansas; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012042:Registries; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*