Bill > S4766

This bill clarifies and expands the rights of crime victims in New Jersey by modifying an existing law to explicitly state that victims have the right to make an in-person statement directly to the defendant concerning the impact of the crime during any trial, hearing, or proceeding where a victim impact statement is given. The only exception is if the court determines that the defendant is physically unable to be present due to incapacity, injury, or illness. This amendment is part of a broader set of victim rights that already exist in New Jersey law, which include being treated with dignity, informed about the criminal justice process, protected from intimidation, and having the opportunity to provide input at various stages of criminal proceedings. The new provision enhances the victim's ability to directly communicate the personal consequences of a crime to the person who committed it, potentially providing a sense of closure or therapeutic benefit for the victim while also ensuring that the defendant directly hears the human impact of their actions.

Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4766