Monmouth County Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Detention Hearings and Risk Assessment Hearings
NEW JERSEY’S BAIL REFORM AND SPEED TRIAL ACT
Since January 1, 2017, New Jersey took a major step to transform its bail system, moving it from what some considered an unfair monetary-based system – which favored the wealthy and punished the poor – to a new deal, based on risk: This new calculation factors in arguments from prosecutors, defenders and a computer algorithm to let a judge decide whether or not an accused citizen will show up for court, or repeat their crimes if let out on bail. This bail reform has had a profound effect on how domestic violence cases are handled in New Jersey. This new system is proving to be efficient, but it still has its complications.