Index
New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform Act (Bail)
Summary
New Jersey largely eliminated the use of money bail. Instead of making you pay to get out of jail, a judge uses a risk assessment algorithm to decide if you are safe to release before trial.
Rights & Rules
- 01.If you are arrested, you will be held for up to 48 hours so the court can run a 'Public Safety Assessment' (PSA).
- 02.The PSA uses an algorithm to score your risk of fleeing or committing a new crime based on your age and past criminal history.
- 03.If you score low risk, the judge MUST release you with simple conditions (like promising to show up to court or checking in by phone).
- 04.If you are charged with a severe violent crime (like murder or armed robbery) and the judge deems you a high risk, they will deny you bail entirely and hold you in jail until your trial.
Penalties
- 01.If you are released and fail to show up for court, or if you commit a new crime while released, the judge can revoke your release and order you held in jail without bail until your trial.
Verified Citations
New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:162-15)
Source"The Legislature finds and declares that... the current system of pretrial release... relies heavily upon the use of monetary bail... This system disproportionately affects indigent defendants... A risk-based system is more appropriate..."