Pretrial Detention and the N.J. Bail Reform Act
Under what circumstances may the prosecutor file for pretrial detention?
The State may file for the pretrial detention of an eligible defendant charged for any crime or offense:1
- of the first or second degree enumerated under subsection d. of section 2 of N.J.S.A. 2c:43-7.2
- that subjects the eligible defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment;
- if the eligible defendant’s criminal history reflects convictions for two or more offenses for either of the above categories;
- enumerated under paragraph (2) of subsection b. of section 2 of N.J.S.A. 2c:7-2 or crime involving human trafficking pursuant to section 1 of N.J.S.A. 2c:13-8 or N.J.S.A. 52:17B-237 et al. when the victim is a minor, or the crime of endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.A. 2c:24-4;
- enumerated under subsection c. of N.J.S.A. 2c:43-6;
- involving domestic violence as defined in subsection a. of section 3 of N.J.S.A. 2c:25-19; or
- for which the prosecutor believes there is a serious risk that:
- the eligible defendant will not appear in court as required;
- the eligible defendant will pose a danger to any other person or the community; or
- the eligible defendant will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure, or intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure or intimidate, a prospective witness or juror.