New Jersey Senate Advances Bill to Strengthen Crime Victims’ Rights
TRENTON, NJ – The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee has moved forward with a legislative proposal aimed at expanding and reinforcing the rights of crime victims within the state. The bill, sponsored by Senators Linda Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex) and Declan O’Scanlon, seeks to address issues faced by victims, especially highlighted during the pandemic, in participating in legal processes and being informed about plea deals.
Senator Greenstein, who chairs the Law and Public Safety Committee, emphasized that the initiative, S-1062, aims to ensure crime victims’ voices are adequately heard and represented in legal proceedings. The proposed legislation intends to make several significant amendments to the existing “Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights.”
Key provisions of the bill include granting victims the right to be represented by private attorneys, broadening the scope of legal proceedings that victims may attend, and enhancing their right to consultation regarding plea agreements. Additionally, the bill mandates law enforcement agencies to furnish victims with reports necessary for obtaining restraining orders and broadens the definition of a victim to encompass parents or legal guardians of minor victims.
This legislative effort is rooted in the experiences and feedback of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center, which has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of crime victims. The Center reported that the enforcement of the Crime Victim Bill of Rights faced significant challenges during the pandemic, leaving many victims unable to effectively advocate for their interests.
The move comes after New Jersey Democrats have passed criminal rights and police oversight and defunding legislations for the past five years.