Christie-backed constitutional amendment to allow NJ judges to deny bail advances
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to make major changes to the state’s bail system — first proposed more than two years ago — is finally gaining steam in the state Legislature.
The state Senate budget committee today advanced a measure that would ask voters to amend the state constitution so judges would be allowed to deny bail to defendants who pose a risk to public safety or may flee.
New Jersey used to deny bail only to defendants charged with offenses punishable by the death penalty. But when the state eliminated capital punishment in 2007, all defendants became eligible for bail.
“You constantly see prosecutors arguing a defendant is a risk to the public,” said state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), a sponsor, who is also a municipal prosecutor. “There’s a big need. I’ve had a lot of meetings with criminal judges as well. They all agree it’s time we need to make a change.”
Christie first proposed the amendment in 2012, when he also called for expanding the drug court program with the aim of avoiding jail time for all first-time drug offenders. Although the Legislature quickly took up the drug court bill, the bail resolution stalled until this year. (Friedman/Star-Ledger)
