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Megan's Law
The California Attorney General's Office has launched a new website listing registered sex offenders living in the State of California. Due to a recent law change (AB488, Parra), the CA Attorney General's Office is now able to provide the public with very detailed information about sex offenders living in the state. By accessing this new website, the public is able to view information by offender name, including general information related to the offender's criminal convictions; by a specific zip code; by street address; or via a searchable map application. This enhanced information was previously only available to citizens by visiting their local police department.
The City of Dublin's Megan's Law web maps are being replaced with a link to the CA Attorney General's website.
Megan's Law Background
In 1995, a convicted child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of 7 year-old Megan Kanka in a New Jersey suburb. The offender lived right across the street from the Kanka residence, however the Police Department was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester because at the time the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public. The law was changed to permit the release of this information to the public and on May 8, 1996, President Clinton signed the law, dubbed "Megan's Law" in remembrance of little Megan Kanka. The California State Legislature signed California's version of Megan's Law into effect on September 25, 1996. This law was implemented to allow potential victims to protect themselves and allow parents to protect their children.
California Penal Code Section 290
Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires people convicted of certain sexual offenses to register with the local law enforcement agency responsible for the jurisdiction in which they reside within 5 working days of their birthday, and within 5 working days of changing their address. This is a requirement for the rest of their lives. Dublin Police Services pursues all offenders that fail to comply with this law.
