ADVOCACY GROUPS FIGHT IN COURT FOR SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: SARAH METZGAR Capitol bureau

ALBANY -- Two crime victims' groups are intervening in a court fight over New York's fledgling sex offender registry.

The lawsuit, pitting 6,000 sex offenders against Gov. George Pataki and a host of state criminal justice officials, goes to court Monday in Manhattan. U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin, who already has issued a temporary restraining order against the state, will hold a hearing on whether to issue a preliminary injunction barring the state from releasing sex offenders' names throughout the lengthy trial process.

The American Alliance for Rights and Responsibilities, acting on behalf of Justice …