People v. Nieves

OPINION OF THE COURT

Burton G. Hecht, J.

Defendant moves to dismiss the instant classification and risk assessment proceeding under the Sex Offender Registration Act ([SORA] Correction Law § 168 et seq.), which became effective on January 21, 1996.

Essentially, SORA provides for three levels of notification to either law enforcement agencies or to the public, or both, depending on an assessment based upon specific State guidelines of the level of risk of "repeat offense” and danger to the public that the offender represents. The Act also authorizes public access to identifying information about…