IN THE MATTER OF REGISTRANT J.S.
A-3541-14T1
On the State's appeal, we interpret N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2(f),
which allows termination from the registration requirements of
the Registration and Community Notification Law, N.J.S.A. 2C:7-1
to -11, also known as Megan's Law, and the related requirements
for Community Supervision for Life "upon proof that the person
has not committed an offense within 15 years following
conviction." The judge adopted petitioner's position he was
"convicted" on January 14, 2000, the date he entered his guilty
plea. The State disagreed and asserted petitioner was
"convicted" on November 13, 2000, the date the judgment of
conviction was imposed.
Following our review, we reverse and conclude the import of
the statutory language requires, as a prerequisite for
requesting termination from the registration requirements, an
offender demonstrate a fifteen-year period of being offense-free
and Megan's Law compliant, following the date the judgment of
conviction is issued.
