This bill amends existing law to require the Pretrial Services Program to recommend pretrial detention for certain repeat offenders charged with violent crimes. Specifically, it mandates that if a defendant has been previously arrested on separate occasions, has pending charges from those arrests at the time of the current complaint-warrant, and is charged with a crime of the first or second degree or any crime that could lead to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment, the Pretrial Services Program must recommend no release. This recommendation can serve as prima facie evidence to counter the presumption of release when a prosecutor files a motion for pretrial detention.

Additionally, the bill establishes a rebuttable presumption against pretrial release for repeat offenders who have committed serious crimes, such as those listed under the No Early Release Act. The intent of this legislation is to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals with a history of violent offenses are more likely to be detained while awaiting trial, thereby reducing the risk of reoffending or obstructing justice. The bill aims to strengthen the judicial process by providing clearer guidelines for pretrial detention based on an offender's criminal history and the severity of their current charges.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:162-19, 2A:162-20