FAMM began its New Jersey sentencing reform campaign in 2003. That campaign ended in victory on January 12, 2010, when Governor Jon Corzine signed into law a bill that reforms New Jersey's notorious drug-free school zone law, which required mandatory minimum sentences for many low-level drug offenders and cost the state millions of dollars each year. FAMM's reforms give courts discretion to fit the punishment to the individual and the offense in select drug-free school zone cases.
Learn more:
New Jersey updates
Press Releases
New Jersey’s Smart on Crime Briefing Book (pdf)
Work in the States: Sentencing and Corrections in New Jersey (2008, The Pew Center on the States) (pdf)
Does the state have mandatory minimum sentences? Yes. Click here to learn more.
Does the state have a sentencing commission? Yes, the New Jersey Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing. The Commission analyzes sentencing data and makes policy recommendations but has not drafted sentencing guidelines. Click here to learn more.
Does the state have sentencing guidelines? No.
If yes, are the sentencing guidelines voluntary/advisory or mandatory? N/A
Does the state have drug courts? Yes. Click here to learn more.
Does the state have one or more safety valve/exceptions? Yes. Click here to learn more. To learn more about how safety valves work, read our factsheet, Safety Valves in a Nutshell.
Helpful links
Governor Chris Christie
New Jersey Department of Corrections
New Jersey Paroles Board
New Jersey Executive Clemency (pardons and commutations)
New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Court System
New Jersey Drug Courts
Want help finding a lawyer in this state? Click here or contact the local association of criminal defense lawyers. You can learn more about how to work with an attorney by reading our answers to frequently asked questions.
Want to search this state’s laws? Click here
Want to find out how a bill becomes a law in this state? Click here
Want to find your state legislative representatives? Click here
Want to work on changing the laws in your state? Learn how through our Citizen Action Kit!
Sentencing/Criminal Justice Reform Groups in the State
ACLU of New Jersey
DISCLAIMER: FAMM does not endorse or support and is not affiliated with any of the attorneys, organizations, or sites listed on this page. FAMM cannot guarantee that the laws listed on its website or the content appearing on any of the links listed on this page are accurate or fully up-to-date. Laws change often, and before taking any action in reliance on the information presented on FAMM’s website or on the sites linked to on this page, you should always verify that the information is still accurate or talk with an attorney. If you feel you need legal advice, you should seek the help of an attorney in your state. FAMM cannot provide legal advice, representation, research, or referrals.