This bill expands protections for cooperating witnesses in New Jersey by authorizing state funding for their safety and relocation. It amends existing law to include cooperating witnesses (those testifying for prosecutors or working with law enforcement, including confidential informants) under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing them protection from harm and access to safety-related services. The bill specifically directs the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to cover relocation expenses for witnesses and their household members, plus safety costs like crisis response, counseling, and emergency services. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with prosecutions and their families, ensuring they receive concrete support to safely participate in criminal justice proceedings.
This bill clarifies that crime victims in New Jersey have the right to make an in-person statement directly to the defendant about how a crime affected them during any trial, hearing, or proceeding where a victim impact statement is given. It applies to all victims involved in criminal cases where the defendant is physically able to attend. The statement must be made in addition to any written impact statement considered during sentencing or plea negotiations. The court may deny this right only if it finds the defendant is incapable of attending due to physical incapacity, injury, or illness.
This bill protects inmates in New Jersey state correctional facilities who report sexual abuse, harassment, or violence by staff. It requires the Corrections Commissioner to create a confidential, fee-free system for inmates to file complaints anonymously, with language access and clear information about reporting options. The bill prohibits staff from retaliating against reporting inmates through transfers, job changes, or other punitive actions, and mandates victim advocate support. It criminalizes both retaliation against inmates and staff failing to report abuse, punishable as a fourth-degree crime with up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine.
This bill (A4199) expands rights for crime victims in New Jersey's criminal justice system. It adds specific protections, including the right to submit written impact statements before charges are filed or plea negotiations begin, and to make in-person statements about the crime's impact during sentencing. Victims gain enhanced notification rights regarding court proceedings, defendant releases, and case updates. The law directly affects individuals who have experienced crime and are participating in criminal cases across New Jersey. These changes amend existing law (P.L.1985, c.249) to strengthen victim participation and support.
This bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey’s six highest-crime municipalities (per state police data) to provide grants to non-profit organizations for outreach about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The grants would help non-profits inform crime victims about accessing state compensation for expenses related to crimes. The Department of Law and Public Safety would administer the program and require a post-pilot report to the Governor and Legislature, recommending whether to continue, expand, or make the program permanent. The initiative directly aims to improve access to victim compensation services in communities most affected by crime.
This bill (S 3684) updates New Jersey's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to clarify and strengthen protections for individuals impacted by crime. Key changes include adding a new right for victims to communicate with prosecutors about plea negotiations *before* such discussions begin (Section 3, point o), and ensuring victims aren't charged fees for accessing their own case records (Section 3, points 42-47). It directly affects crime victims navigating the state's criminal justice system, ensuring they receive clearer information, greater input during plea processes, and no financial barriers to accessing their case documents. The revisions refine existing protections without creating new rights, focusing on practical improvements to victim support.
This bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to cover medical, mental health, and related expenses for victims of mass violence events when those costs aren't paid by insurance or other sources. It appropriates $10 million to the fund, which will be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to pay eligible expenses like medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for qualifying victims and their family members. The fund specifically excludes expenses covered by insurance or public programs and requires payments to be made at least three years after the event. It also creates a working group to develop eligibility rules before distributions begin.
This bill (S 348) makes it a criminal offense (third-degree crime) to pay or receive money for referring patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities, including payments based on the number of patients or type of care. It directly affects health care providers, facilities, non-profits, and recovery residences that refer patients. The law allows flat fees or payments not tied to patient volume or treatment specifics, but prohibits all other referral-based payments. Violators face a mandatory $50,000 fine and restitution to victims.
S 1318 establishes the New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission to examine wrongful convictions in the state. The 9-member commission, appointed within 45 days (including a retired judge as chair and balanced legislative appointees), will study causes of wrongful convictions, review cases, assess restitution systems, and recommend reforms - including creating a permanent innocence review panel for incarcerated individuals to seek conviction reviews. The commission must report its findings and legislative recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. This bill directly affects the state's criminal justice system and wrongfully convicted individuals by creating a formal process to prevent future errors.
This bill (S 1439) would require a drunk driver convicted of causing a fatal accident to pay financial restitution directly to a minor child if the victim was the child’s parent or guardian. Specifically, it adds a new provision to New Jersey’s vehicular homicide law, mandating that drivers violating DUI laws (N.J.S. 39:4-50) must cover the child’s losses through court-ordered restitution - on top of existing criminal penalties and other restitution. The bill applies only to cases where the driver was intoxicated at the time of the fatal crash and the deceased was the child’s legal guardian. It is currently pending in the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee.
