Supreme Court Committee Calls for Major Changes to Criminal Justice Process | Bail Administration

Supreme Court Committee Calls for

Major Changes to Criminal Justice Process

The Supreme Court today released the report of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice. The report calls for significant changes in the way bail is administered and for the enactment of a speedy trial law.

The committee, established in June 2013 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, includes judges, prosecutors, public defenders, private counsel, court administrators, and staff from the Legislature and the governor’s office. The committee was chaired by the chief justice and developed 27 recommendations to improve New Jersey’s criminal justice system.

“The committee confronted some very difficult problems relating to the current bail system and delays in bringing criminal cases to trial,” said Chief Justice Rabner.  “It is telling that nearly all of the committee’s recommendations-which include far-reaching proposals-have the unanimous support of judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel.”

The report’s Executive Summary (pages 1 to 7) highlights the key issues and reasoning behind the committee’s recommendations. A complete Table of Recommendations follows the summary (pages 8 to 10).

Click for the complete Report of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice.

This “Notice To The Bar – Supreme Court Criminal Justice Report” is republished by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.