Vote is expected on bill that would remove minimum criminal sentences in nj

The New Jersey Senate recently passed a bill that aims to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for a variety of criminal offenses.

State Senate Swiftly Passes Mandatory Minimum Sentence Reform Bill

Senate Bill S-3456, which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for 29 criminal offenses, was approved without discussion last month, which allowed the measure to proceed to an Assembly committee meeting for deliberation.

Crimes for Which Mandatory Minimums Would Be Eliminated

The current version of the bill seeks to eliminate the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences for criminal offenses under New Jersey law such as:

• Second-degree robbery
• Burglary
• Official misconduct
• Perjury
• Bribery
• Money laundering
• Tampering with public records
• Leading a narcotics trafficking network
• Distribution of controlled dangerous substances within 1,000 feet of school property
• Leading a cargo theft ring
• First-degree computer hacking
• Unauthorized computer access
• Hindering apprehension or prosecution

Bill Part of Larger Criminal Justice Reform Efforts

The effort to eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing is part of a larger push to revise anti-crime legislation adopted in the 1980s and 1990s that in recent years has been blamed for creating racial disparities in the criminal justice system. According to one criminal justice reform group, Black residents of New Jersey were incarcerated at 10 times the rate of whites, which represented the largest racial disparity of any state in the U.S.

Sen. Sandra Cunningham, a sponsor of S-3456, argued that mandatory minimums lead to racial disparities in sentencing, asserting that many African Americans end up going to jail for the same crimes that whites are not sentenced to jail for.

Contact an Experienced Clark Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Charges in New Jersey

Were you arrested or charged in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Team Law have successfully represented clients charged in Paterson, Elizabeth, Clifton, Trenton, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 136 Central Ave., Clark, NJ 07066, as well as offices located in West New York, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.