Federal Sex Offender Registry Rule Applies for State Convictions

Sex offenders convicted under state laws must comply with the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act’s registration and notification obligations, even if they would have no such duty under state law, the Sixth Circuit said Wednesday.

Every federal court of appeals to have considered the issue has answered it in the same way—saying that the federal duty is independent of any state-law scheme, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said.

M.S. Willman was convicted under a Michigan law prohibiting assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving sexual penetration. He served a 10-year sentence, completed ...