Youth ministry not “youth serving organization”
A congregant of a church serving as a volunteer youth leader of the church’s youth ministry may not be prosecuted for violation of New Jersey’s Megan’s Law prohibition against sex offenders holding a position in a “youth serving organization.” The Appellate Division of the state Superior Court has held that a church group is not included within the definition of a “youth serving organization.” The volunteer admitted that he was a registered sex offender under the Act and told the pastors and elders of his prior sexual assault convictions. But when he was indicted for serving as a volunteer, he defended on the ground that the youth ministry was not a youth serving organization. The Act...
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