New Jersey Bail Reform

New Jersey Bail Reform, Fourth Amendment, Article 1 Paragraph 7, Article 1 Paragraphy 11, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-16(c), N.J.S.A. 2A:162-16(a); N.J.S.A. 2A:162-25, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-16(b)(1); N.J.S.A. 2A:162-17, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-18, -19, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-19(d), N.J.S.A. 2A:162-19(d)(2), N.J.S.A. 2A:162-19(e), N.J.S.A. 2A:162-19(e)(1)Previously I blogged about criminal justice reform in New Jersey. Notably, the People of New Jersey voted in 2014 to amend the State Constitution with respect to bail. Subsequently, the New Jersey legislature responded with criminal justice reforms as to bail and speedy trial. This post will explore some aspects of New Jersey Bail Reform.By way of this introduction, eligible defendant means a person for whom a complaint-warrant is issued for an initial charge involving an indictable offense or a disorderly persons offense unless otherwise provided under the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.

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New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform

New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform

new jersey criminal justice reform, bail reform, bail reform actIn November 2014, the People of New Jersey voted to amend the State Constitution with respect to bail in article I paragraph 11. In what I believe was a rare instance of actually listening to the Will of the People, the New Jersey legislature enacted the Bail Reform Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-15 to -26. Accordingly, New Jersey criminal justice reform took effect on January 1, 2017.

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Drug Paraphernalia: Use or Possession with Intent to Use

drug paraphernalia, use or possession with intent to use, N.J.S.A. 2c:36-2, aeration, aeroponics, ATM, aunt mary, bat, bc bud, big h, brown sugar, brown, black tar, blunt, bong, bowl, cashed, chillum, China white, chipper, chiva, chronic, dank, dime, dope, drag, Dr. Feelgood, dug out, empty, head shop, hell dust, hit, horse, joint, junk, mary, mary jane, Mr. Brownstone, munchies, negra, nickel, o, oh-zee, one hitter, oney bat, piece, pinch hitter, pinchie, roach, roach clip, shwag, smack, spliff, sploof, spoof, thunder, toke, trees, 420The expression “routine traffic stop” did not make George Carlin’s list of humorous oxymorons. Despite the wide-spread use of this idiom, there is nothing routine about any traffic stop. This is so for the police as well as citizens. Neither knows what will unfold during the encounter. And that is one reason no contact with the police is the best contact.Indeed, a recent traffic stop reported by nj dot com illustrates the point. The traffic stop led Lower Township police to arrest two men for outstanding warrants. Additionally, the cops found alleged heroin, a hypodermic needle, and other unspecified drugs and paraphernalia, per the news.
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Drug paraphernalia, defined

Drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A. 2c:36-1

drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A. 2c:36-1, aeration, aeroponics, ATM, aunt mary, bat, bc bud, big h, brown sugar, brown, black tar, blunt, bong, bowl, cashed, chillum, China white, chipper, chiva, chronic, dank, dime, dope, drag, Dr. Feelgood, dug out, empty, head shop, hell dust, hit, horse, joint, junk, mary, mary jane, Mr. Brownstone, munchies, negra, nickel, o, oh-zee, one hitter, oney bat, piece, pinch hitter, pinchie, roach, roach clip, shwag, smack, spliff, sploof, spoof, thunder, toke, trees, 420Drug paraphernalia means all equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used or intended for use in:

  • planting, propagating, cultivating, growing,
  • harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting,
  • producing, processing, preparing, testing,
  • analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing,
  • containing, concealing, ingesting, inhaling,
  • or otherwise introducing into the human body
  • a controlled dangerous substance, controlled substance analog or toxic chemical
  • in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title.

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Peter Gabriel fights injustice with video

Peter Gabriel fights injustice with video

Power & the Rule of Man

In this talk, Peter Gabriel spoke about WITNESS. Begun in 1992, WITNESS enables people to make video documentaries to tell the world about human rights abuses. Gabriel described the individual photographers as brave. Indeed, the violent WITNESS recordings suggests “bravery” is an understatement. Authorities with power know the significance of video documentation. After all, many people understand power corrupts. And there are many more who know it corrupts absolutely.
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Pretrial Intervention, N.J.S.A. 2c:43-12

pretrial intervention, pti, supervisory treatment, N.J.S.A. 2c:43-12A former captain of the Princeton University swim team who allegedly had a shotgun will enter Pretrial Intervention (PTI), per nj dot com. Indeed, Mercer County prosecutors said he will undergo three years supervision, a psychological evaluation, and complete 40 hours of community service. A few months earlier, Princeton cops charged him with unlawful possession of a weapon after confiscating the alleged shotgun. Under New Jersey law, unlawful possession of a weapon involving a shotgun is a third degree crime.1 Read more


Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in Prostitution, N.J.S.A. 2c:34-1.1

soliciting prostitution, N.J.S.A. 2c:34-1, Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in Prostitution, N.J.S.A. 2c:34-1.1Newark cops arrested 11 men for allegedly soliciting prostitution, per nj dot com. The operation took place after residents had complained to the police. Most of the Johns lived in Newark, but a few came from out of state. The Johns allegedly asked an undercover cop for sex, per nj dot com. Although the news item mentioned soliciting prostitution, for the reasons that follow the police probably charged the Johns with Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in Prostitution.

New Jersey law defines prostitution as Read more


Criteria for Fines,
N.J.S.A. 2c:44-2

criteria for fines, N.J.S.A. 2c:44-2 mong the penalties for conviction of an offense, New Jersey courts may sentence offenders to pay fines.1 Additionally, the statute sets forth ordinary ranges for fines by degree of offense.2 Furthermore, state law provides criteria for fines the court must consider, find, and give a reason on the record before imposing a fine. Perhaps this is at least part of what people mean when they say crime doesn’t pay.
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