This bill amends existing law regarding the revocation of pretrial release for certain defendants in New Jersey. It clarifies that a court may temporarily detain a defendant who has violated a condition of pretrial release or has committed a new crime while on release, upon the motion of a prosecutor. The court must find clear and convincing evidence that no monetary bail or conditions of release would ensure the defendant's appearance in court or protect public safety. Additionally, the bill mandates that a risk assessment be prepared for any new charges that form the basis of the violations, which the court will consider when making its decision.

The bill also specifies that a court cannot revoke a defendant's release based solely on certain marijuana-related offenses. This legislation is in line with Recommendation #22 from the Report of the Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, issued on June 7, 2023, and aims to enhance the procedures surrounding the temporary detention and revocation of pretrial release for defendants. The changes are intended to ensure a more structured approach to handling violations of pretrial release conditions while balancing the rights of defendants and public safety concerns.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:162-24