The bill seeks to reform New Jersey's approach to non-violent drug offenses by eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for specific crimes, as recommended by the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission. It amends several statutes, including N.J.S.2C:35-3 through N.J.S.2C:35-7, to remove the requirement that defendants serve a minimum of one-third to one-half of their sentence before being eligible for parole. This change allows judges greater discretion in sentencing, enabling alternatives such as probation instead of mandatory imprisonment for offenses related to narcotics trafficking, operating drug production facilities, and distributing controlled substances.

In addition to the removal of mandatory minimums, the bill clarifies legal language regarding parole eligibility and the imposition of fines, ensuring that courts can consider various factors, including the defendant's criminal history and the specifics of the offense. It also establishes that convictions under these statutes will not merge with other drug-related convictions and specifies that ignorance of proximity to school property is not a valid defense. Overall, the legislation aims to promote rehabilitation over incarceration while maintaining significant penalties for serious drug offenses, particularly those involving juveniles or occurring near schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:35-7