New Jersey's Drug Courts, Special Probation, & Proposal for Reform

The New Jersey Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing sought to conduct a comprehensive and independent examination of the New Jersey Adult Drug Court Program (ADCP). The report encompasses a series of proposed statutory changes to New Jersey's Code of Criminal Justice in order to expand and improve operation of the ADCP. The New Jersey probation statue, enacted as part of the Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1986, diverts non-violent, drug-dependent offenders from state imprisonment to a five year period of intensive supervision. The ADCP enacts this special probation statue, is administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Currently offenders are eligible for drug court if they were convicted of anything from two or more non-violent crimes to third degree felonies.

The New Jersey Commission has proposed the following amendments to strengthen the special probation statue:

• Clarification of the special probation statue
   
• Bar for two prior convictions
   
• Suitable treatment of offenders
   
• Efficient use of probation resources
   
• Use of out-of-state treatment facilities
   
• Eligibility for the Intensive Supervision Program
   
• Enforcement and demand reduction penalty
   
• Official detention proposal