Juveniles who commit (or are falsely accused of committing) a sexual crime are required to register under Megan’s law which can haunt them the rest of their lives. Juveniles in New Jersey are given the option to apply for removal from Megan’s law after 15 years as long as they do not commit another crime. 15 years is a ridiculously long time for a juvenile when adults who are found guilty of a sexual crime who are tier 1 Megan’s law can also apply for removal after 15 years. There is no other crime that makes someone register for something. If juvenile sex offenders aren’t displayed online, then why ruin their life with restrictions AFTER they serve their time in juvenile detention/probation? Let kids live their life normally! 

Research shows that Juveniles who commit a sexual crime one time are highly unlikely to reoffend in the future. I do not believe it’s fair to make a juvenile be punished the same way an adult would. Juvenile’s brains are still developing which can lead them to make mistakes. I do believe that there should be some sort of punishment; however, Megan’s Law is just too harsh. Their lives are just beginning and having a title like “sex offender” can seriously impact their future. It can make it hard to find a job or start a career, keep friends and relationships, and even live a normal life.

Please sign this petition to help change the future of young juvenile sex offenders. I believe that no juvenile (under 18) should be required to register under Megan’s Law for a first time offense. Any juvenile who is currently registered on Megan’s Law should be allowed to apply for removal. If registration remains a requirement, it should be for a duration of 5 years instead of 15. By signing this petition, you are giving juveniles a second chance to learn from their mistakes and start their lives on a clean slate.