Megan’s Law Helpline and the Sex Offender Registration Tips (SORT) enables community members to report potential sex offender violations, including failure to register, violation of employment or residency restriction laws, or parole or probation violations of offenders in positions of trust with children. According to a recent Citizen Times article, the tip line is operated by Parents for Megan’s Law (PFML) and the Crime Victims Center and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. It has recently expanded into North Carolina.
Tip Line and Website
Tips can be reported via a toll-free number or on the Web. Laura Ahearn, executive director for PFML, explained that retired law enforcement professionals with over 40 years of investigative and supervisory experience review the tips. The PFML website states that upon confirmation of the information provided, the complaint will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for follow-up. Ahearn claims that nationwide, these tips have resulted in the identification of registered sex offenders who are out of compliance as well as offenders working in positions of trust with children. She also states that PFML works in collaboration with Facebook and MySpace to remove registered offenders from their social networking sites.
Registrants who may be out of compliance can contact their county sheriff or federal reporting agency. It is a felony offense to fail to report; registrants who have concerns should contact an attorney for counsel on remaining in compliance and for defense if they are facing charges of registration violation. Criminal defense lawyers at Marcilliat & Mills PLLC PLLC provided skilled representation to those facing North Carolina sex offense charges, including failure to register.
State v. B.S.: Not Guilty Verdict in First Degree Murder Case.
In this case, our client was charged with First Degree Murder in connection with a “drive-by” shooting that occurred in Charlotte, NC. The State’s evidence included GPS ankle monitoring data linking our client was at the scene of the crime and evidence that our client confessed to an inmate while in jail. Nonetheless, we convinced a jury to unanimously find our client Not Guilty. He was released from jail the same day.
State v. S.G.: First Degree Murder Charge Dismissed.
Our client was charged with First Degree for the shooting death related to alleged breaking and entering. The State’s evidence included a co-defendant alleging that our client was the shooter. After conducting a thorough investigation with the use of a private investigator, we persuaded the State to dismiss entirely the case against our client.
State v. B.D.: First Degree Murder Charged Dismissed.
After conducting an investigation and communicating with the prosecutor about the facts and circumstances indicating that our client acted in self-defense, the case was dismissed and deemed a justifiable homicide.
State v. I.R.: Reduction from First Degree Murder to Involuntary Manslaughter and Concealment of Death.
Our client was charged with the First Degree Murder of a young lady by drug overdose. After investigating the decedent’s background and hiring a preeminent expert toxicologist to fight the State’s theory of death, we were able to negotiate this case down from Life in prison to 5 years in prison, with credit for time served.
State v. J.G.:
Our client was charged with First Degree Murder related to a “drug deal gone bad.” After engaging the services of a private investigator and noting issues with the State’s case, we were able to negotiate a plea for our client that avoided a Life sentence and required him to serve only 12 years.