Court Rules Out-of-State Sex Offenders Can Challenge NJ Registration Requirement

Authorities must analyze if out-of-state convictions are similar to Megan's Law crimes before forcing registration, appeals court finds.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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An appellate court in New Jersey ruled that authorities must determine if sex offenses committed in other states are similar to crimes covered under the state's Megan's Law before requiring offenders to register when they move to New Jersey. The court dismissed charges against two men who were not given the opportunity to challenge whether their out-of-state convictions warranted registration under the law.

Why it matters

The ruling aims to protect the due process rights of out-of-state sex offenders by requiring authorities to conduct an analysis to see if their prior convictions are equivalent to Megan's Law offenses before forcing them to register in New Jersey. This ensures offenders are not indicted without first being afforded the chance to challenge the registration requirement.

The details

The court ordered the dismissal of cases against two men - Shaquan Gregg, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a toddler and child in South Carolina, and Norman Millner, who was convicted of a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old in New York. Authorities in both cases failed to perform the required analysis to determine if the out-of-state crimes were similar to Megan's Law offenses before charging the men with failing to register.

  • On February 23, 2026, the New Jersey appeals court issued the ruling.

The players

Shaquan Gregg

A man convicted of sexually assaulting a toddler and child in South Carolina.

Norman Millner

A man convicted of a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old in New York.

New Jersey Megan's Law

A state law that requires individuals convicted of sex offenses in another state to register if they relocate to New Jersey.

New Jersey Appellate Court

The court that issued the ruling protecting the due process rights of out-of-state sex offenders.

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What they’re saying

“Indicting defendants before affording them the opportunity to challenge whether their out-of-state conviction is similar to a New Jersey Megan's Law crime offends principles of due process and the statute itself.”

— Judge Morris Smith, Presiding Judge (New Jersey Monitor)

What’s next

The New Jersey Attorney General's office may appeal the appellate court's decision to the state Supreme Court.

The takeaway

This ruling upholds the due process rights of out-of-state sex offenders by requiring authorities to first analyze whether their prior convictions are equivalent to Megan's Law crimes before forcing them to register in New Jersey, ensuring they have the opportunity to challenge the registration requirement.