NJ Supreme Court considers sex-offender ordinances

The debate over where convicted sex offenders can live intensified Tuesday as the New Jersey Supreme Court heard testimony from two towns. Cherry Hill and Galloway Township both passed ordinances restricting

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2009, 3:27 PM

Updated 5,681 days ago

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The debate over where convicted sex offenders can live intensified Tuesday as the New Jersey Supreme Court heard testimony from two towns. Cherry Hill and Galloway Township both passed ordinances restricting how close a sex offender can live to schools or parks, but a state appeals court struck that down. The appeals court determined that such restrictions should be made by lawmakers on a statewide level, not by individual towns. The appeals court also said that Megan's Law was "comprehensive" enough. Under Megan's Law, convicted sex offenders in New Jersey must register with the state. Neighbors are also notified when they move nearby. The law does not place restrictions on where sex offenders can live. If the state Supreme Court rules in favor of the ordinances, some sex offenders would have to move out of certain towns altogether.