This bill proposes various revisions to the Crime Victims Bill of Rights in New Jersey, enhancing the rights of crime victims and witnesses. Key amendments include expanding the right for victims to communicate with the prosecuting authority regarding plea negotiations, ensuring they can express their perspectives before negotiations begin and requiring prosecutors to inform the court of the victim's position unless the victim requests otherwise. Additionally, the bill broadens the definition of judicial proceedings in which victims can be present, encompassing all judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings related to crimes committed against them, including those in Superior Court, Family Court, and municipal court.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that law enforcement agencies provide incident reports to victims or their attorneys within five days when there is a pending application for a domestic violence restraining order or protective order. It also expands the definition of "victim" to include the parents or legal guardians of minor victims. Lastly, the bill clarifies the administration of the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund, allowing for grants to a wider range of service providers and county-based programs that assist victims of violence, while removing specific enumerated organizations from eligibility.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-36, 52:4B-36.2, 52:4B-37, 52:4B-43.1