As an initial matter, a juvenile adjudicated of a sex offense in NJ is assigned a “tier level.” All juveniles who are adjudicated of a sex offense, no matter how young, are subject to the Tiering process.  Tier level determines who is notified of a juvenile’s sex offense adjudication.  The three tier levels in New Jersey are below:

TIER 1 REGISTRANTS: 

• Only local law enforcement is notified of juvenile sex offender status.
• Tier 1 juveniles are not on NJ’s Internet registry.

TIER 2 REGISTRANTS:

• If the court determines that a juvenile registrant is Tier 2, then local law enforcement and certain schools/organizations will receive the juvenile’s sex offense notification.
• Certain Tier 2 juvenile registrants are placed on NJ’s Internet registry. 

TIER 3 REGISTRANTS:

• If a juvenile is a Tier 3 registrant, then notice of his/her sex offender status is provided as follows:
  • local law enforcement notified,
  • certain schools/organizations notified,
  • door-to-door notice

• Tier 3 juveniles are placed on NJ’s Internet registry.

LEGAL SERVICES OFFERED:

Initial Tier Hearings and Tier Reduction Hearings:

First, at the initial tier hearing, the prosecutor proposes a tier level and scope of notification for the juvenile registrant.  However, the juvenile has the right to challenge the State’s proposed tier level and notification. If the juvenile challenges the State’s recommended tier level, then the court holds a hearing.  At this hearing, the court decides the juvenile’s tier level and who receives the juvenile’s sex offense notification.

Proper legal representation at this hearing is crucial.  After the initial tier hearing, it is very hard to change some of the registrant’s scores on certain factors used in the tier analysis.  Moreover, the registrant may face an increase in tier level if he moves to another county or state.

Our firm has represented many people at tier reduction hearings. We have successfully argued for lower tier classifications than the State recommended.  For example, in many cases, our attorneys have successfully obtained a lower tier based on changed circumstances.  Also, we have successfully kept registrants off the Internet registry.

Maynard Law Office, LLC has also represented many individuals at “re-tiering” hearings.  Re-tiering occurs if a registrant moves to another NJ county or changes work or school.

Call Maynard Law Office today:

To conclude, Maynard Law Office, LLC has represented many juvenile clients at initial tier hearings, re-tierings, and tier reduction hearings.  So call our office today to discuss your legal options regarding juvenile sex offense tier hearings.