PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Weiss, Kenneth J.
AU  - Watson, Clarence
TI  - NGRI and Megan's Law: No Exit?
DP  - 2008 Mar 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 117--122
VI  - 36
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/36/1/117.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/36/1/117.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2008 Mar 01; 36
AB  - Megan's Law, an effort to enhance community safety by requiring sex offenders to register and to notify their communities, often for life, has been enacted in all jurisdictions of the United States. Although the ostensible intent of the law is nonpunitive, many registrants feel it infringes on their freedom. Nevertheless, the law has passed constitutional scrutiny. Megan's Law pertains principally to convicted sex offenders, including those adults and juveniles who have entered guilty pleas. This article reveals that many jurisdictions require individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) to register if the offense in question falls under Megan's Law. Thus, insanity acquittees run the risk of interminable supervision. We discuss a recent challenge to the Arkansas registration law and the decision's implications for planning forensic mental health testimony.