Bill > S3775

Introduced Session

This bill grants the court the discretion to adjust, reduce, or waive certain fines, fees, penalties, assessments, and legal financial obligations (collectively referred to as "LFOs") of criminal defendants based on ability of the defendant to pay. Under the bill, the court may exercise its discretion to adjust, reduce, or waive any mandatory LFOs imposed on a defendant convicted of a crime or offense, including a non-indictable offense, based on the defendant's inability to pay, the interests of justice, or if the LFO would be contrary to the purposes of rehabilitation. The bill requires the court to state, on the record, the factors that resulted in the adjustment, reduction, or waiver of a mandatory fines, fees, penalties, assessments, or other legal financial obligations. The bill incorporates recommendation D of the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission's third report, dated March 2023, except that the bill includes a requirement that the court state, on the record, the factors that resulted in the adjustment, reduction, or waiver of a mandatory fines, fees, penalties, assessments, or other legal financial obligations.

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Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Shirley Turner (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 10/10/2024)

Official Document