New Jersey would send more custody alerts to restraining order holders

The Attorney General would maintain an automatic system that provides custody status for defendants charged with domestic violence crimes or offenses. The system would provide custody status for any defendant charged with a crime or offense involving domestic violence. The existing VINE system established under the Attorney General’s 2005 directive would satisfy this requirement. The bill would take effect on the first day of the second month after enactment.

The prosecuting agency would automatically notify victims through VINE when a listed custody event occurs. This applies to a victim who has a temporary or final restraining order against the person involved in the listed event. An alert would be required when the person named in the order is charged with a criminal offense and taken into custody; granted pretrial release; violates a pretrial release condition; is jailed; is released from jail; or completes parole supervision. The requirement would take effect on the first day of the second month after enactment.