Criminal Justice Reform Information Center
"The existing bail system is not fair to poor defendants who, because they cannot post bail, are cut off from families, may lose their jobs, and may go without access to medication for a period of time. In terms of the charges against them, studies have shown that they face tougher plea offers and pressure to plead guilty because of the amount of time they have already spent in jail, and they receive longer sentences as compared to similarly situated defendants who were able to make bail."
- Chief Justice Stuart Rabner
"Bail reform and speedy trial reform collectively represent a historic shift in the way our courts administer justice. We need everyone, whether you are part of the criminal division, in a finance office, part of the family division or any other part of the Judiciary, to learn about these reforms and be ready to do your part when called upon for the success of these efforts." -
- Glenn A. Grant J.A.D.
acting administrative director of the courts
Welcome to the Criminal Justice Reform Information Center. Here you will find information related to the efforts of the Judiciary and its criminal justice reform partners in state, county and municipal government to implement bail and speedy trial reform and to form a pretrial services unit.
On Jan. 1, 2017, the state shifted from a system that relies principally on setting monetary bail as a condition of release to a risk-based system that is more objective, and thus fairer to defendants because it is unrelated to their ability to pay monetary bail. The statute also sets deadlines for the timely filing of an indictment and the disposition of criminal charges for incarcerated defendants.
What's in the News
News Stories
- February 2017 - Bail reform off to ‘successful' start in county
- February 2017 - Early report on criminal justice reforms: Concerns raised; tweaks made
- February 2017 - Keeping us safer? Top judge comes to the defense of NJ bail reform
- February 2017 - New Jersey Alters Its Bail System and Upends Legal Landscape
- December 2016 - Editorial from The Record: Right to ‘speedy trial’ is in Constitution
- October 2016 - What new NJ bail rules will mean for poor defendants, dangerous suspects
- May 2016 - Editorial from the Press of Atlantic City: Coming bail reform looks good, except for bondsmen
- Summer 2016 - Pretrial Service Officers Crucial to Justice Reform - Summer 2016
- Summer 2016 - Chief Justice Addresses Criminal Justice Reform, Attorney-Related Issues at Bar Convention
- Summer 2016 - Criminal Justice Reform-The Clock is Ticking
- Spring 2016 - Vicinages Launch Criminal Justice Reform Pilots
- Spring 2016 - Municipal Court Judges and Staff Are Integral to Success of Criminal Justice Reform in New Jersey
- Winter 2015-2016 - Why Criminal Justice Reform Is Important for New Jersey
- Winter 2015-2016 - Move Toward Criminal Justice Reform Accelerates in New Year -
- Fall 2015 - Work Proceeding on Criminal Justice Reform in New Jersey
- Fall 2015 - A New Court Year, A Continued Emphasis on Justice Reform
- Summer 2015 - Chief Justice Touts Bail Reform in Bar Speech