Bill > S2438

This bill requires Pretrial Services, an agency that assesses defendants' risk to public safety and flight risk before trial, to recommend pretrial detention, meaning holding a defendant in jail before their trial, for certain repeat offenders. Specifically, Pretrial Services must recommend detention if a defendant is charged with a new indictable offense (a serious crime) or a disorderly persons offense (a less serious crime) involving domestic violence, and they have been arrested at least twice before, with those prior charges still pending. Additionally, the new charge or at least one of the pending prior charges must be an initial charge for an indictable offense or a domestic violence-related disorderly persons offense. This change aims to ensure that individuals with a history of arrests and pending charges, especially those involving domestic violence or serious crimes, are detained before trial to protect the community and ensure their appearance in court.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2438