Menges v. Knudson (D. Mont. 2021)

Menges v. Knudson, No. CV 20-178-M-DLC (D. Mont. 2021)

Nature of Case: Plaintiff was required by the state of Montana to register as a sex offender due to a conviction in 1994 for engaging in consensual sex with another male in Idaho. The Plaintiff brought a federal civil rights challenge, alleging that the requirement that he register on that basis was unconstitutional on a variety of grounds and sought a preliminary injunction.

Holding: The federal district court for the District of Montana entered jugment in the Plaintiff’s favor and permanently enjoined state defendants from enforcing the provisions of the sex offender registry against him, finding that to do so in his case violates Due Process, Equal Protection, and the right to privacy under the state constitution.