Commonwealth v. Muniz (Pa. 2017)

Commonwealth v. Muniz, 164 A.3d 1189 (Pa. 2017)

Nature of Case: Appellant was convicted of a sexual offense after a bench trial, and was scheduled to be sentenced. While awaiting sentencing, Appellant absconded. While he had absconded, PA legislature amended state SORA, adding additional requirements. Appellant was apprehended on unrelated charges, sentenced, and ordered to register under the now-in-effect law. Appealed, and intermediate appellate court affirmed. Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted review.

Holding: PA Supreme Court held that, under both state and federal constitutions, SORA was punitive and could therefore not be applied retroactively.