Criminal Justice
Governor, in veto, recommends barring sex offenders from mental health diversion programs
Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed a bill to expand mental health diversion programs, saying sex offenders should be categorically barred.
N.J. Supreme Court weighs time restrictions on sex assault and DNA cases
The New Jersey Supreme Court heard arguments about the long-delayed arrest of a man accused of a 1990 rape and murder of a woman in Wildwood.
High fees, long waits cast shadow over new criminal expungement laws
Lawmakers across the political spectrum say clearing or sealing criminal records will help people find jobs and housing.
New Jersey mayor at center of racism scandal charged with public corruption
Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso is accused of using public resources, including town employees, for his private landscaping business.
New Jersey Public Defender’s Office veteran Jennifer Sellitti tapped for top job
Gov. Phil Murphy will nominate longtime public defender Jennifer Sellitti to lead the office when Joseph Krakora retires early next year.
New Jersey’s top court deems drug recognition experts ‘reliable enough’
In a 5-2 decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court declared drug recognition expert testimony reliable, despite admitting concerns about it.
Cash bail policies are under fresh scrutiny
Some states, including New Jersey, have largely eliminated cash bail to reduce inequities. But other states are taking the opposite approach.
Watchdog calls for probe into rental company accused of illegal price-fixing
A government watchdog group wants Attorney General Matt Platkin to investigate an apartment rental company for possible price-fixing.
In Lewiston, Biden says Americans should be free to live without fear of gun violence
The Biden's visited Lewiston to pay their respects to the victims of the city's Oct. 25 mass shooting and meet with victims' family members.
Drugs, violence, missing property are common complaints in New Jersey prisons, monitor says
People incarcerated in New Jersey made 11,938 requests for help to the state corrections ombudsperson's office in the past year.
Politicians love to cite crime data. It’s often wrong.
Law enforcement agencies’ inability — or refusal — to send their crime data to the FBI has resulted in a distorted picture of the nation's crime trends.
Legislators vow action to address Maine’s weak gun laws after Lewiston mass shooting
As Mainers grappled with one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, policymakers and advocates said more can and must be done to protect against gun violence in the state.