Bergen County NJ Megan’s Law Tier Classification Appeals Lawyers
Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys with Offices in Hackensack, New Jersey
The Tormey Law Firm in Hackensack, New Jersey is a criminal defense team with lawyers who understand how sex crime accusations are made and how to defend against these allegations. Founding attorney Travis J. Tormey has established a strong reputation throughout the state, in part through his impressive work defending individuals against a wide variety of sex charges, including lewdness, luring, and sexual assault.
For example, Mr. Tormey was recently successful in having a wrongfully accused sex offender exonerated in the Ocean County Superior Court after more than a decade. He has also been successful numerous times in having individuals removed from Megan’s Law registration requirements. In addition, during his time at the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Tormey worked with the sex crimes unit on federal prosecutions. Due to his impressive experience, Mr. Tormey is considered an authority in this area and has been featured in the Asbury Park Press as a legal resource on sex crimes and Megan’s Law in New Jersey.
At The Tormey Law Firm, regularly representing clients in towns such as Mahwah, Elmwood Park, and Ridgefield Park and concentrating solely on criminal defense provides us with a unique and powerful edge, which we use to benefit our clients every day. With offices conveniently located in the heart of Bergen County, one of our attorneys is always available immediately to provide you with a free consultation. Contact us at (201)-330-4979 to learn more about the charges and penalties you may be facing. Understanding the nature of the charges against you is truly the first step to achieving a positive outcome.
New Jersey Megan’s Law Tier Classification Appeals
If you are forced to register under Megan’s Law, the State must determine the risk posed by the registrant as well as the likelihood of a repeat offense. Essentially, the State will employ a balancing test and classify any individuals within a three-tiered system. Tier I is a low-risk offender. Tier II is a moderate-risk offender. Tier III is a high-risk offender. The County Prosecutor’s Office will classify the registrant and apply the appropriate balancing test. 14 days from the date of the notice, the registrant has the right to object to the prosecutor’s tiering.
When grading the registrant, the County Prosecutor’s Office considers the nature of the prior offense, the registrant’s criminal history, any rehabilitation or counseling since the offense, and the registrant’s support in the community. If the registrant’s score is less than 37 on the scale, he or she will be classified as Tier I. If the registrant receives a score of between 37 and 73, he or she will be classified as a Tier II offender. Finally, if the registrant’s score is greater than 73, he or she will be considered a high-risk Tier III offender.
The State can make mistakes when conducting this scoring. As a result, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer can file an appeal of this classification and have the matter litigated before a Superior Court Judge at a formal hearing.
Contact the Experienced Megan’s Law Attorneys at The Tormey Law Firm to Discuss Your Case
If you are classified at a higher tier, it will affect who is notified of your Megan’s Law status (i.e., schools, local businesses, day care centers, etc.). Therefore, it is imperative that you contact a lawyer for immediate assistance. There is a short window in which the registrant is permitted to file an appeal of his or her classification. Do not wait to contact our experienced criminal defense trial team at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.