New Jersey Bill May Ease Penalties for Some Drug Offenders
By Alison Gonzalez
Published on January 07, 2008
One of the measures gives judges the discretion to lessen financial penalties for certain drug convictions. Under current laws, drug offenders are fined between $500 and 3,000 per offense, depending on the seriousness of the crime. The new bill allows judges to impose a single fine on the most serious offense, rather than for each count.
The measure also enables drug offenders to pay up to half of their debt in a reformative service plan, which includes education, counseling, community service, and other programs.
Another measure helps ex-convicts receive work licenses or government jobs by allowing them to receive a certificate of rehabilitation after they demonstrate a strong effort to reform themselves. Violent and child offenders will not be eligible for the certificate.
If passed, the measures will help those who are not able to pay to still find treatment instead of encouraging them to engage in other crimes.
It will also aid in prevention measures as well, said Stephan Finkel of the Office of the Attorney General. People need to know their lives are not over, and that they can come back and reintegrate into society, he added.
The measures are due for final consideration this week.
Keyword Tags: