The administrative director of the New Jersey judiciary says a bill pending in the Legislature should scale back the changes planned for gun defendants.
Gov. Phil Murphy has notified the Senate of seven Superior Court choices he intends to nominate, including Dina Vicari and Manchester Mayor Kenneth Palmer.
"When you don't resolve your outstanding fines and fees, and there's a bench warrant issued, you can't seek housing, you can't seek employment," said Judge Glenn Grant, administrative director of the New Jersey Courts.
If deleting marijuana convictions is made easier along with legalization, the courts estimate that more than 180,000 people could be newly eligible to apply.
Court filing fees are used to pay for pretrial services programs but don't bring in enough money to cover the costs. Its surplus will run out in about a year.
Other states are calling New Jersey to learn about its groundbreaking criminal justice reforms – which are on track to run out of funds in about two years.
New Jersey’s bail reforms are likely to be modified by month’s end, to increase the likelihood defendants with a history of weapons offenses are detained until trial.
New Jersey officials say the near-elimination of cash bail has been a success – though it could be in for some changes. It's also running short of money.