In re Registrant G.A. (N.J. Super. 2018)

In re Registrant G.A., 190 A.3d 1059 (N.J. Super. 2018)

Nature of Case: G.A. and G.H., both registrants residing in New Jersey, brought state court actions to terminate their respective registration obligations. Both had committed offenses prior to 2002, when the New Jersey legislature amended Megan’s Law to remove a statutory option for termination of registration that was otherwise applicable to them. Trial court denied petitions on the grounds of the amendment to the law, and appeals were consolidated.

Holding:  New Jersey Superior Court held that New Jersey legislature did not intend the 2002 amendments to have retrospective effect and that, even if they did, to give them retreospective effect in G.A.’s and G.H.’s cases would be manifestly unjust.