D. Mass. Notes Split Re Constitutionality of the Adam Walsh Act

Per U.S. v. Wilkinson, --- F.Supp.2d ----, 2009 WL 2591157 (D. Mass. Aug. 20, 2009):

The court also addressed Wilkinson's claim that the Adam Walsh Act is unconstitutional. In June, 2009, the court held that the Adam Walsh Act is unconstitutional because it exceeds Congress' power under the Commerce Clause of the United States constitution and is not necessary or proper to effectuate any other enumerated legislative or executive power. See United States v. Wilkinson (“Wilkinson II”), --- F.Supp.2d ----, 2009 WL 1740358, at *1 (D.Mass. Jun. 22, 2009). This is an issue that has split the district courts and several circuits that have decided it. Id. at *2. The Supreme Court will hear a case which should decide this issue in the coming term. See United States v. Comstock, 551 F.3d 274 (4th Cir.2009), aff'g 507 F.Supp.2d 522, 540 (E.D.N.C.2007), cert. granted 129 S.Ct. 2828 (2009).