Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

New Jersey’s drug court manager is citing a series of changes in state law last year for the “flood of admissions” the court is currently seeing in its program. The changes allowed more drug offenders to participate in the state’s drug court programs rather than going to prison.

The programs include random drug testing, counseling, drug treatment, and regular court appearances. The drug court programs saw a 25 percent increase in voluntary admissions in the last half of 2013 over the same time period in 2012.

The increase in drug court participation has led to some growing pains for the state. Authorities have been looking for more inpatient treatment providers to house participants, leaving some defendants to remain in county jail until more facilities are found. Authorities have also been seeking more money to cover additional drug testing, treatment services, and probation officers.

A proposed law in New Jersey called “The Opportunity to Compete Act” may help individuals with a criminal past get a fair chance at rehabilitation. If the law is enacted, employers would be banned from asking whether an applicant has ever been convicted of a crime or even conducting a criminal background search until after the interview process.

“One of the greatest barriers to a second chance in the state of New Jersey is a barrier to employment,” said one of the law’s sponsors Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).

For many, a criminal history can make it almost impossible to get a job interview, let alone achieve steady employment even if he or she is qualified for a position. The stigma that often follows an individual after completing a criminal sentence can create a situation in which previous offenders are encouraged to break the law again or live a life of underemployment or unemployment.