Over 20,000 sex offenders have been removed from registry in Michigan following ruling
Thousands of convicted sex offenders have been wiped from Michigan’s public registry after a ruling by the state Supreme Court described as 'deeply concerning'.
The unanimous decision, which was issued on 9 September, determined that offenders don’t have to register under new versions of the sex offender registration law if their crimes occurred before the current law took effect.
Those who committed sex offences prior to July 2011 are not required to comply with the state’s current sex offender registry law.
As reported by Eyewitness News 3, around 43,000 people were actively registered or required to register under Michigan’s sex offender registry, according to Michigan State Police.
However, authorities have confirmed that more than 20,000 names have since been removed to comply with the court’s order.
According to the outlet, Cooley Law School professor Brendan Beery said of the legal decision: “You cannot add new punishments for crimes that were committed before the punishment was enacted.”
However, many people have been left outraged by the decision and believe it takes protection away from victims.
The Eaton County attorney’s office has publicly rallied against the decision, writing in a social media post: “The Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate SORA requirements for these offenders is deeply concerning. Our community, along with the victims of these crimes, expected the registry to provide a measure of protection and awareness.”
The office also shared additional information on who exactly had been removed, with one of the names being Larry Nassar - a former sports doctor who used his positions at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University to sexually abuse girls and women, with hundreds speaking out against him.
He was convicted in 2017 on federal child pornography charges, as well as state charges for sexually abusing female gymnasts.
Nassar is currently in prison serving 60 years for the child pornography offences, followed by consecutive state sentences of 40 to 175 years and 40 to 125 years for sexual assault.
The decision doesn’t overturn the serial offender’s convictions, nor does it shorten his prison sentences or clear his criminal record - it simply means he will no longer be on the public register.
In total, more than 330 women accused Nassar of sexual abuse, including Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
She said during her testimony: “I don't want another young gymnast, or Olympic athlete, or any individual to experience the horror that I and hundreds of others have endured before, during, and continuing to this day in the wake of the Larry Nassar abuse.”
The sex offender is currently being held at the US Penitentiary Lewisburg in Union County, Pennsylvania.
Michigan State Police said in a statement last month: "On September 9, 2026, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the 2021 Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) amendments cannot be used to retroactively extend the registration requirements of anyone who committed their relevant crime prior to July 1, 2011, because doing so would be unconstitutional.
"The MSP did not make this change to the law. However, the department maintains the database, is required to comply with the Court’s order and is taking the necessary steps to implement the ruling. Any concerns about or efforts to change the law should be directed to the state Legislature."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Madison Burgess