Criminal Justice
State appeals federal ruling blocking enforcement of new gun law
New Jersey continued battling to save its new gun law, asking this week for a stay of a recent order blocking enforcement of most of the law.
As prison population grays, calls grow for ‘geriatric parole’
A new report calls for "rehabiltative release" of elderly incarcerated people. Legislation that would create "geriatric parole" is stalled.
Legislation would abolish ‘antiquated’ county constables
Critics say county constables are “antiquated and potentially dangerous" and have no oversight. Lawmakers are moving to abolish the position.
Bill advances to fund community crisis response teams to reduce police violence
Lawmakers advanced bills to fund community crisis response teams and mental health services for officers. The goal: Reducing police violence.
Officer shortage renews debate on fitness standards for female recruits
Many states and the military set different physical fitness standards for police recruits. New Jersey does not, and some want that to change.
Cumberland jail to improve mental health services following inmate deaths
The Justice Department alleges Cumberland County jail workers violated inmates' constitutional rights by denying them medical assistance.
New report on police misconduct underscores disparities in cop discipline
Police watchdogs say details missing from a new state report on police misconduct prove why full transparency is needed.
Officer misconduct on the rise, as more face major discipline, report shows
Major discipline against law enforcement in New Jersey crept up in 2022, with corrections officers the busiest offenders, a new report shows.
Governor Murphy signs sexual extortion bill into law
Sexual extortion often sees assailants threatening to release intimate photographs or videos to coerce others into performing sexual acts.
Study finds promise in program pairing cops with mental health experts
Attorney General Matt Platkin said pairing cops with mental health experts is crucial to restoring trust between police and residents.
Shifting policy on prison placement of transgender people sparks scrutiny
Most transgender people in New Jersey prisons are not housed in facilities that match their gender identity, data shows.
New Jersey Supreme Court again affirms public’s civil rights in warrantless police searches
Police cannot search someone's property or belongings without a warrant unless "exigent circumstances" exist, the N.J. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.