This bill amends existing New Jersey law to establish a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for defendants charged with specific offenses related to child sexual abuse and endangerment. Specifically, it includes charges of sexual assault and criminal sexual contact when the victim is a minor, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. The bill modifies Section 4 of P.L.2014, c.31 to indicate that when a prosecutor files a motion for pretrial detention for these offenses, there is a presumption that no amount of monetary bail or non-monetary conditions would assure the defendant's appearance in court or the safety of others. This presumption can be rebutted by the defendant, but if not successfully challenged, the court may order pretrial detention.

Additionally, the bill updates Section 5 of P.L.2014, c.31 to include these new offenses under the criteria for pretrial detention motions. It specifies that if the court finds probable cause for these charges, there will be a rebuttable presumption of detention, similar to existing provisions for murder and other serious crimes. The bill aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals charged with serious offenses against minors are more likely to be detained before trial, thereby reducing the risk of further harm to potential victims or the community.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:162-18, 2A:162-19