JUSTICE LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE: PROSECUTION, DIVERSION, SECOND CHANCES AND BAIL REFORM
“A Look Into The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office & The Balancing Of The Atlantic County Criminal Justice System.”
Sunday, February 25, 2024, 6:00 A.M. ET. From The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Art Fletcher Contributing,
MAYS LANDING, NJ.- Since June of 2022, The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has demonstrated a comprehensive approach to criminal justice, balancing tough prosecutions with progressive reforms. Justice requires compassion, empathy, conviction, integrity, and an understanding for the victim as well as the defendant.
As for Prosecution, the office has had tremendous success in twenty of twenty trials, with the jury saying “Guilty.” The net result was winning nineteen of twenty jury trials, due to only one guilty verdict being overturned. At the same time, The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has also prioritized empathy, fairness, and rehabilitation through initiatives and the creation of diversion programs.
By reducing recidivism and offering second chances, The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s efforts have not only improved public safety but also provided individuals with pathways to recovery, employment, and education.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office prioritizes fair and just outcomes while upholding public safety. The creation of diversion programs for at-risk and addicted offenders and those with mental health issues addresses the root causes of crime, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.
Entering 2023, The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office focused on clearing the backlog of expungements and processed over 7,200 expungements in just over a year. This initiative provides individuals with second chances for employment and education, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has focused on issues relating to Criminal Justice reform. Bail reform in New Jersey, when done right can be very effective.
When a suspect is arrested, the decision to place that individual on a summons or warrant is critical in the bail reform process.
In 2023, Atlantic County had the second-lowest percentage of criminal complaints placed on warrants in The State of New Jersey. In Atlantic County, the total number of defendants were 4,819. Of those arrested, 72 Percent were placed on summons. 28 Percent were placed on warrants.
Sussex County led The State at 22 Percent placed on warrants, but only had 182 defendants who were placed on jail warrants.
Out of those 1,349 defendants placed on a warrant in Atlantic County, a total of 686 individuals were detained equating to a detention rate of 50.9 Percent, the highest in The State of New Jersey. The State average for detaining individuals placed on a warrant in 2023 was 19.8 Percent.
Likewise, Atlantic County led The State with the highest rate of detention motions filed at 99 Percent (1338) and the lowest on the number of detention motions withdrawn (11), which further bolstered the importance of the decision-making process at the initial summons vs. warrant complaint stage. The Local Police Departments and The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Screening Unit are very effective in the decision-making process to place a defendant on a warrant or a summons.
Why does the decision-making of placing a defendant on a summons or warrant matter? Placing someone on summons allows them to continue to live their lives while being able to have Due Process. Placing someone on a warrant deprives that individual of their liberty.
That decision is critical for all of society. Taking someone’s liberty is not and should not be taken lightly. However, if a person is violent and likely to hurt someone or be a victim themselves, the community’s interest in public safety outweighs that person’s Constitutional Right to Liberty.
Simply stated, detaining the most violent and dangerous individuals reduces violence in The Community.
Both in Atlantic County and Statewide there has been a reduction in Gun Violence. In 2023, The State of New Jersey had a total of 924 People Shot, the lowest total in fifteen years, a reduction of 13 Percent from 2022, and 191 Homicides as a result of gun violence, a reduction of 8 Percent from 2022.
When it comes to Gun Violence, an undisputed fact is that “Today’s Shooters Are Tomorrow’s Victims.” By detaining those at risk for being involved in Gun Violence, the percentage of that person shooting anyone else or being shot becomes zero.
William E. Reynolds,
Atlantic County Prosecutor
