Criminal Justice
Local police flout state rules to discourage public reporting of police misconduct, report finds
Local police practices appear intended to discourage complaints against cops, especially among some segments of the population, the report says.
Lags in criminal justice reporting raise reformers’ concerns about transparency
Delays plague public reporting of police major discipline and other metrics the Attorney General oversees, sparking transparency concerns.
Anguished by recent shootings, retirees rally for gun control laws
Former state Sen. Loretta Weinberg organized a rally of senior citizens calling for stricter federal gun regulations.
‘Tennessee three’ praised by Biden in White House meeting
President Biden praised three Tennessee state Democratic lawmakers booted from the GOP-led House for demanding gun safety measures.
Justices skeptical of New Jersey bribery law’s loophole for unelected candidates
New Jersey's Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether the state's bribery statute covers political candidates not yet elected.
As cannabis stores are slow to open, worries over delta-8 sales grow
Delta-8 products are marketed as legal cannabis products but are not regulated and can often include harmful chemicals.
Prisons commish defends ‘gobsmacking’ costs during budget questioning
New Jersey's prison population has fallen by half in the past decade, but the system's cost has remained static. Lawmakers aren't happy.
U.S. Supreme Court backs New Jersey’s bid to quit Waterfront Commission
New York fought for five years to maintain the port-oversight partnership, citing crime concerns.
New Jersey revamps prison mail delivery to fight drugs
N.J. corrections officials plan to digitize incarcerated people's mail to reduce drugs in prison. Critics have privacy and cost concerns.
Family of man who died after alleged assault by jail guards says justice is delayed
In August 2019, Darrell Smith died after his family said jail guards beat him. They say they are still waiting for someone to be held accountable.
Annual prison count shows racial disparities persist behind bars
Black people made up 59% of the prison population in the last count, despite representing only 15% of the state's population.
A fight against floppy discs evolves into a prison rights crusade
A man incarcerated in Trenton is asking courts to strike down state correctional officials' ban on flash drives and computers in prison.